Social Founders Talk: Clive Stafford Smith JD OBE, Founder of Reprieve, and The Justice League. Wed. 16th December 2026 15.00-16.30 UK-GMT

​Clive Stafford Smith founded the powerful Reprieve charity, and for many years was the charity's Executive Director.

​In 1987, documentary-maker Paul Hamann filmed lawyer Clive Stafford Smith as he tried to prevent an execution from going ahead in Mississippi. The resulting film, 14 Days in May, was a devastating indictment of the death penalty, showing the state’s determination to kill a man who protested his innocence to the end.

​Together, they resolved to broaden their fight against capital punishment, and in 1999 Reprieve was born, with a mission to confront the death penalty through private advocacy and public campaigning, as well as in courts of law.

​After the 9/11 attacks and the “War on Terror” that followed, Reprieve's mission expanded to confront the full playbook of state abuse – torture, rendition, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial executions across four continents.

​Join us to hear Clive's founder story, how he has dedicated his life to campaigning to end the death penalty, and through Reprieve's work, to save the lives of so many. You'll hear how the charity was started, how Clive grew the charity, all the risks involved, and the combination of intense legal work alongside mass campaigns to engage the wider public. And hear more about Clive's current work as founder of the Justice League.

​This is a free event. We'll add you to our Social Founders mailing list so that you'll hear about our other events, forums and news - let us know if you don't want to be added.