EDINBURGH—The Justice Sector Equalities Conference 2025 is set to be the biggest calendar event of the year for the Scottish justice system. With a clear and resolute mission, the event seeks to forge a fairer and more inclusive society. Therefore, on August 28, 2025, the Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS) Group will host a full-day conference at the COSLA Conference Centre. Bringing together key stakeholders from across the justice sector. Ultimately, this unique forum will serve as a convergence point for legal professionals, policymakers, community organizations, and human rights advocates. All united by the goal of exploring actionable ways to improve justice delivery and dismantle systemic inequalities.
Challenges Ahead
The FJSS Group, a legal charity dedicated to championing racial diversity and inclusion, is the driving force behind this pivotal event. The conference is a direct reflection of the group's unwavering commitment to its core mission. As the FJSS Group's CEO, Silence Chihuri, often reflects, his personal experiences with racial discrimination while trying to join the legal profession in Scotland provided the initial impetus for the group's founding. It is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many in their pursuit of a career in law. A profession where only 3% of the 13,000 members of the Law Society of Scotland are from the Black community. This statistic, a sobering testament to the lack of representation, will be a central topic of discussion at the conference. With the aim of creating tangible pathways for change.
Keynote Speaker: Cabinet Secretary for Justice
The conference will feature inspirational presentations and thought-provoking discussions. Aiming to find a "convergence zone of common interest" between the aspirations of marginalized communities, and the policy decisions made by those in power. The FJSS Group is proud to announce that Rt. Hon. Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, will return as the Keynote Speaker. Her participation underscores the event's importance and the Scottish government's commitment to engaging in a national conversation about creating a fairer justice system for all. The day will officially begin at 9:00 AM with a "Welcome and Appreciation" session. Following a pre-conference meet and greet with tea from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Allowing attendees to connect and set the stage for a day of collaborative dialogue.
Human Rights Based Approach
A key pillar of the Justice Sector Equalities Conference 2025 will be its strong emphasis on a human rights-based approach to justice. The FJSS Group, in a powerful collaboration with the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), has published a guide titled "Using Human Rights." This guide provides an essential introduction to the Human Rights Act. With a particular focus on the right to private and family life (Article 8). Also the right to be free from discrimination (Article 14).
This invaluable resource will likely be one of the central themes of the conference. It was created to support people accessing the FJSS Group's services. Particularly within the Black African community in West Calder, Lothian. It aims to empower individuals with the knowledge to address the systemic failures that often impact marginalized communities. The conference will feature discussions on how these legal frameworks can be used to hold public authorities accountable. To ensure the rights of all citizens are protected.
Legacy of Windrush Generation in Scotland
One of the most anticipated segments of the Justice Sector Equalities Conference 2025 is a deep dive into the legacy of the Windrush generation in Scotland. Building on a year-long consultative project, the FJSS Group will present its groundbreaking findings. The project identified 200 families in Scotland. These families were directly impacted by the Windrush scandal. They faced "gross human rights violations." This included wrongful detentions. They were barred from working. They were also denied essential services and welfare benefits.
The FJSS Group is an official partner with the Windrush Nation Organisation (WNO) and the Home Office Windrush Engagement Team. These partnerships, combined with a public survey, provide the foundation for a renewed call to action. The survey showed that an overwhelming 70% of respondents favored more support for victims. The conference will host an open dialogue on victim support. This includes providing crucial assistance with the compensation process. The event serves to ensure the lessons of the past are used. This will build a more just future for Scotland.
Overseas Students
Beyond the Windrush legacy, the conference will also address a wider range of issues that affect the communities the FJSS Group serves. For example, discussions will focus on the challenges migrants and asylum seekers face, as their right to private and family life is often one of the first casualties of their journeys. The conference will highlight the UK asylum system's negative impact, noting how the Home Office's practice of providing accommodation on a “no choice basis” can disrupt family life with little notice. Ultimately, this stands as a critical example of how systemic policies breach fundamental human rights.
The event will also highlight the struggles of students from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. The FJSS Group's work has identified instances where students, particularly from Black African, Asian, and Arab communities who do not speak English as a first language, struggle with academic assignments and often fail after resits due to a lack of adequate support. Tragically, this can lead to their visas expiring before they can benefit from post-study graduate visas.
The conference will provide a platform to discuss how institutions can better protect the right to be free from discrimination and provide the necessary support to ensure every student has a fair chance to succeed. By tackling these issues head-on, the Justice Sector Equalities Conference 2025 aims to inspire change not only in policy but also in practice, creating a legal community and a justice system that truly reflects the diversity and values of Scottish society.