Against Persons Unknown: A Case Study on the Use of Law by Self Organised Groups

Kinghan, J. and Vanhala, L. (2021) Against Persons Unknown: A Case Study on the Use of Law by Self Organised Groups. Project Report. The Public Law Project, London, UK.

Abstract

This case study sheds light on the unique experience of a group of women who used the law to remedy injustice in their local community. The group, An Untold Story – Voices, based in Hull, challenged the use of quasi-criminal enforcement powers against sex workers in a designated area of the city. The enforcement powers were widely targeted against “persons unknown” but in practice were only used against sex workers in the city. Relying on expert evidence of harm caused by the local council’s enforcement regime, they pursued a legal challenge together with The Public Law Project (“PLP”) and achieved a successful settlement.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Project Report)
• Keywords: Law, litigation, sex workers, access to justice.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kinghan, Professor Jacqueline
• Authors: Kinghan, J., and Vanhala, L.
• Subjects: K Law > KD England and Wales
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Law
• Publisher: The Public Law Project
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the authors