Legal mobilisation is the employment of legal processes and resources by
activist
Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from mandate build ...
groups or individuals in order to achieve specific social and political outcomes.
It is a form of
social mobilisation that focuses on successfully pleading
strategic litigation
Strategic litigation, also known as impact litigation, is the practice of bringing lawsuits intended to affect societal change. Impact litigation cases may be class action lawsuits or individual claims with broader significance, and may rely on st ...
cases before the courts.
The mobilisation of the law may involve multiple stakeholders, including
advocacy groups, marginalised communities, non-governmental organisations, independent government agencies, and lawyers.
Definition
An early definition of legal mobilisation by Frances Kahen Zemans describes the law as being mobilised when "a desire or want is translated into a demand as an assertion of one's rights"''.''
Process
Legislative activity creates an opportunity for legal mobilization. The courts become particularly relevant when petitioners have grounds to file suit.
See also
References
Activism by type
Practice of law
{{law-term-stub