Who we are Founded in 1990, Public Law Project (PLP) is a legal and social justice charity dedicated to advancing public law as a cornerstone of a fair and well-functioning society. We do this through casework and litigation, research, policy advocacy, events and training. PLP’s legal challenges have protected our constitution and human rights; our research and briefings shape legislation, policy and practice; and our sector-leading events promote dialogue and advance thinking across the legal sector and beyond. Recent successes challenging the previous government’s Rwanda immigration policy, securing justice for the Windrush generation, and scrutinising the use of AI in public decision-making. Why public law matters Public law is society’s connective tissue. It binds together the key elements of our democracy—individuals, national and local government and other public bodies—and provides the structure for these to work together effectively. It supports and reinforces the principles of the rule of law, human rights and equity and is fundamental to a fair and inclusive society. At its best, public law enables the state to confront and navigate challenging contexts and make well thought-through decisions in the public interest. When public bodies make unlawful, irrational, or unfair decisions that violate human rights, public law enables people to challenge those decisions and hold the state to account. Drawing on three decades of experience, PLP works with decision-makers to strengthen this connective tissue by ensuring public bodies make lawful, rational decisions that serve society effectively. PLP’s work is grounded in the needs of marginalised communities and we work across a number of challenging policy areas where these groups are often most affected – including AI, immigration and welfare. How PLP works with policy makers We work across a number of policy areas: Automated Decision Making Public bodies are increasingly using automated, algorithmic and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to make decisions on key issues from health and social care to immigration. This is a complex policy area, with recent developments under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and more to come with the forthcoming AI White Paper. PLP can help policy makers navigate this by: sharing insights on how automated decision making can be a force for good when the correct frameworks are in place to regulate it properly. explaining the importance of fair decision making and why it is necessary to be transparent about how decisions are made, with insights from PLP’s Tracking Automated Government (TAG) Register. Unpacking key risks in the roll-out of this technology, including the growing risk of incorrect, unlawful and unfair decisions being made at scale. making recommendations to protect against unsafe deployment of new technology and to increase transparency when it is deployed. Immigration While the Border Security Asylum and Immigration Bill continues to progress through Parliament, the Government also recently announced several new policies to speed up deportations. With our experience in this fast-moving policy area, PLP can support decision makers by: recommending ways to get the UK’s broken asylum system moving, making it fair and efficient for both decision-makers and asylum seekers. provide a briefing on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. sharing insights on the impact of the current asylum asylum system on marginalised individuals, including findings from recent research on Albanian nationals’ experiences. Legal Aid The drastic cuts to legal aid in recent years have meant that legal aid has effectively “collapsed”. As leading experts in access to justice, PLP can support by: providing recommendations to improve legal aid provision and ensure access to justice is a reality, and not a mirage for those in need of legal advice. sharing our research on the provision of remote legal advice and highlighting how cutting legal aid ‘shifts costs’ onto other public services. supporting Government to engage with the issue of legal aid and ensure vulnerable individuals receive timely access to quality legal advice. Welfare The Public Authorities (Fraud Error and Recovery) Bill, alongside the Government’s current review of Universal Credit, provides an opportunity to improve the welfare system and make it fairer and more functional. With our expertise and network in this policy area PLP can: make recommendations for addressing unfair Universal Credit official error overpayments caused by DWP mistakes. highlight findings from published research on deductions and forthcoming research in collaboration with the Central England Law Centre on sanctions imposed on people who need welfare support. provide input on the Government’s current review of Universal Credit with further recommendations that could make the system fairer. Parliamentary Processes and Constitutional Safeguards As democratic institutions face increasing pressure globally, robust parliamentary processes and constitutional safeguards become ever more critical. PLP can support policy makers by: explaining how thorough parliamentary examination of proposed legislation leads to more effective policies that better serve the public interest and withstand legal challenge. drawing on our extensive judicial review expertise to advise on essential checks and balances that uphold the rule of law, promote accountability, and prevent executive overreach. Advising on consultation frameworks that meaningfully engage marginalised communities and individuals with lived experience, ensuring policies are both legally sound and practically effective. Advising on consultation frameworks that meaningfully engage marginalised communities and individuals with lived experience, ensuring policies are both legally sound and practically effective. Get in touch If you’re interested in discussing our insights on any of these topics and would like to find out more, please contact us: [email protected].