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© Copyright 2012
University of Windsor
Windsor Faculty of Law and Social Justice
What is it?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared that "human rights are based on respect for the dignity and worth of all human beings and seek to ensure freedom from fear and want." Social Justice, therefore, can be viewed as a belief in, and pursuit of, human rights and the equal distribution of resources for all people.
Social Justice, or Public Interest work encapsulates many areas of law that are not addressed in the traditional practice of law. Often political and based on current issues, careers in public interest are focused primarily on social, economic and environmental justice.
This can include such diverse areas as:
- Legal clinics and public advocacy groups;
- Private practice firms that define their client base as "public interest", such as union-side labour law, refugee and immigration law, and criminal defence;
- In-house counsel;
- Boards, agencies and commissions;
- All levels of government;
- Non-profit management;
- Law reform commissions;
- Public Interest Research Groups; and
- Publications (magazines or journals)
Fields of Study
Social Justice can be found in any academic field that focuses on the systemic bias against various groups or communities that have historically been denied equality. Some examples include, but are in no way limited to:
- Domestic and International Human Rights
- International Law
- Labour and Employment Law
- Immigration and Refugee Law
- Environmental Law
- Critical Equality Theories and Practice