An overview of public interest litigation initiated by social movements in South Africa
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A variety of South African social movements have been active in driving social change, both during the anti-apartheid struggle and during the past 25 years of our constitutional democracy. Some of this activism has resulted in public interest litigation that addresses historical disparities. A selection of cases is used to illustrate the role of social movements in initiating public interest litigation in the South African courts, as well as an emerging jurisprudence around class actions. However, the limitations of the law should be recognized and litigation should not be seen as the only means of lawful political and socio-economic struggle.
DOI: 10.14749/32378283
Author: Human Sciences Research Council
Language: English
Topic: Legal Issues in South Africa
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Human Sciences Research Council
OpenAlex ID: W7162103366
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: