The Intercessor Initiative

Aim: We're training paralegals to support unrepresented workers at Employment Tribunals. Without help, only 1% win. That must change.

No one should have to face their employer alone.

Every year, tens of thousands of people bring claims to Employment Tribunals after being harassed, dismissed or discriminated against at work. Over half of them don’t have a lawyer.

They’re called litigants in person. And only 1% win their case.

Not because their claims are weak — but because the system is complex, intimidating, and built for those who can afford representation.

We’re launching the Intercessor Initiative to change that.

What we’re doing

We will train a new generation of Intercessors — aspiring lawyers, law students and justice-minded professionals — to support people who are forced to go it alone at Tribunal.

Each Intercessor will be trained to:

• Help claimants prepare strong, clear legal arguments
• Support with evidence gathering and document drafting
• Negotiate settlement where possible
• Assist with hearings through confident, ethical advocacy

These trained Intercessors will stand alongside people when it matters most — offering the support that turns a claim from overwhelming into winnable.

Why this matters

Imagine losing your job after blowing the whistle. Or being racially harassed by your manager, then pushed out for speaking up. Then imagine having to prove your case alone, in legal proceedings stacked against you, and against an often far more (economically) powerful opponent.

That’s the reality for more than half of Employment Tribunal claimants.

With trained Intercessors, we can change the odds — and challenge a justice system that routinely fails the very people it’s meant to protect.

Who are we

This initiative is led by Equal Justice Solicitors, founded by Lawrence Davies, a solicitor and seasoned Employment Tribunal advocate with over 20 years of experience in discrimination and whistleblowing law.

• Lawrence will lead the training and mentoring of each Intercessor, ensuring every volunteer is properly equipped to support real cases, with real consequences.

Visit us: equaljustice.co.uk

“The law is supposed to protect workers — but without support, it becomes just another wall to climb.”

How your support will help

We’re raising funds to:

• Train at least four (and up to 22) Intercessors per year
• Cover supervision, legal materials and mentoring
• Match Intercessors with real-life tribunal claimants in need
• Build a long-term solution to an access-to-justice crisis by producing an army of competent and committed paralegal advisers
• Focus on anti-racism claims, given the rise of racism in our society. After 5 years we hope to expend the Initiative and focus on all types of discrimination and whistleblowing claims.   

Whether you donate £10 or £1,000, you’ll be helping people stand up to injustice with real, expert support.

Help people get a fair hearing. Back the Intercessor Initiative.

#theNOmovement 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 25th August 2025 at 3:05pm