Public Interest Lawyers

Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) is a not for profit law practice specialising in cases involving issues of international human rights, international humanitarian law, and environmental law and is based in Birmingham, UK.

It has a national and international reputation for its cutting edge international human rights work. Presently it is dealing with cases about the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the exports of arms from the UK to Israel, the legality of the Iraq war, the legality of the UK's decision to replace its nuclear weapon system and maintain its possession of cluster munitions, and the legality of the use of UK and Irish air bases for US attacks on Iran. Please see www.publicinterestlawyers.co.uk for further information.

Phil Shiner, the owner of the practice, is The Law Society Solicitor of the Year 2007 and was Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2004. These awards acknowledged his work on behalf of Iraqis in cases concerning killings and torture in UK detention facilities in Iraq. He is also engaged in the ongoing development of a non-governmental organisation, Peacerights, which is heavily involved in issues of international law and international humanitarian law.