The Windrush Compensation Scheme – is justice finally being served?

Set up to right the wrongs committed against the victims of the Windrush Scandal, the Windrush Compensation Scheme ( WCS ) has been in operation for over 3 years. The WCS has been subject to significant criticism which has led to some reform. The panel will provide a current assessment of the WCS and whether it is finally delivering justice.

 

In the first part of the event a panel of legal experts will explore the key deficiencies with the WCS, the strategic legal challenges being made and the key areas of reform needed. In the second half, the Panel will focus on the ongoing impact on clients and the need for action. We will hear from a Windrush victim about their experience of the WCS and Anna Steiner (member of the JUSTICE working group Reforming the WCS) will explore the significant unmet legal need for victims of the Windrush Scandal by reference to her recent research and the on going access to justice issues for victims.

 

Panel:

• Martin Forde KC, (the independent Advisor to the Windrush Compensation Scheme (2018 – 2021),
• Grace Brown (Barrister at Garden Court Chambers)
• Van Fergusson (Windrush Justice Clinic Solicitor at Southwark Law Centre)
• Jeremy Bloom (Duncan Lewis Solicitor).
• Anna Steiner (Supervising Solicitor & Lecturer, King’s Legal Clinic, King’s College London & member of the JUSTICE working group Reforming the WCS)

 

The panel will be chaired by Shaila Pal, the Director and Supervising Solicitor of King’s Legal Clinic.

 

Each speaker will offer a short presentation, followed by a discussion and Q&A. The event will be split into two parts and will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes (including questions). Refreshments will be provided.

This event is part of Black History month and is delivered by King’s Legal Clinic (Dickson Poon School of Law) in collaboration with the Windrush Justice Clinic and Southwark Law Centre.

 

King’s Legal Clinic & Windrush Justice Clinic

King’s Legal Clinic is part of the broader Windrush Justice Clinic ( WJC) collaboration. Set up in 2020, the WJC is a partnership made up of community organisations, law centers and universities striving to help victims of the hostile immigration environment receive the compensation they deserve. The WJC utilises the strengths of its various partners to offer comprehensive pro bono assistance to victims whilst also engaging in advocacy and on-going reform discussions in respect of the Windrush Schemes.

 

King’s Legal Clinic aims to promote social justice and educate students, as part of its commitment to promote access to justice King’s Legal Clinic joined the WJC in 2021. King’s Legal Clinic works with all the partners and has a specific partnership with Southwark Law Centre. Student’s from King’s support the work of the WJC Solicitor at Southwark Law Centre, by helping raise awareness of the WCS through a series of workshops in the community and assisting in the preparation of compensation claims