The Rule of Law in a Changing World: Rights, Power, and Accountability

​Event Description

The rule of law is under increasing pressure globally, from democratic backsliding and conflict to the rise of anti-rights movements. At the same time, new legal approaches and movements are emerging, from climate litigation to the recognition of the rights of nature, challenging traditional notions of justice and accountability.

This discussion explores how legal systems can both protect and transform societies in a rapidly changing world. What does it take to strengthen justice systems so they prevent rights violations rather than simply respond to them? How can legal tools be used to advance social, environmental, and economic justice?

We will also examine the role of feminist legal action, strategic litigation, and efforts to decolonize the law in reshaping who the law serves and how it is applied. As courts increasingly weigh in on issues like climate responsibility, the session will explore how to translate legal decisions into real-world change.

Bringing together practitioners, advocates, and policymakers, this conversation will look at how to reimagine the rule of law as a force for equity, accountability, and systemic change.

Speakers

• ​Lindsay Branham is Founder and President of Novo Film and the Heartwood Institute, working at the intersection of storytelling, human rights, and ecological systems.

• ​Matthew Lanza is Global Director of Innovation and Design at International Justice Mission.

• ​Sanjeewa Liyanage is International Program Director at International Bridges to Justice, advancing criminal justice reform and access to justice globally.

​Discussion Questions
What are the biggest threats to the rule of law today, and how are they playing out in practice?
How can legal strategies, including litigation and policy reform, drive meaningful social and environmental change?
What does it mean to decolonize and diversify our understanding of justice systems?
How can legal decisions, such as climate rulings, be translated into real accountability and action?

​Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.