Alternative Law Collective

The Alternative Law Collective comprises of lawyers and academics committed to social, economic and environmental justice. The Collective understands the work of law in the widest possible sense. Recognizing the possibilities and limitations of formal legal processes, we aim towards creative law-doing that is grounded in research that encompasses a range of pedagogical exercises, and ultimately leads to sustained engagements and interventions on issues of justice.

The Collective has a history of working on issues of environmental justice, labor law and indigenous rights. This has included working with fishing communities against the historical enclosure of waters, with communities displaced by large scale water infrastructure, and with communities in struggle over common lands. Each has involved innovating law-doing which whilst also invoking formal legal petitions, has focused on (re)-creating alternative discourses and practices such as those of the Lok Sath.

Currently, our focus is on issues of just transition, large-scale land acquisition associated with renewable energy projects, and seeking remedies for communities affected by faulty infrastructure through the loss and damage facility. Our efforts encompass research, working with the communities on the ground, case filing, and advocacy, aiming to bring about meaningful change and uphold principles of justice.