The Dickson Poon School of Law

The Windrush Compensation Scheme - is justice finally being served?

This is a recording of a panel discussion about the Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS) and whether it is finally delivering justice. Hosted by King's Legal Clinic in collaboration with the Windrush Justice Clinic and Southwark Law Centre. Set up to right the wrongs committed against the victims of the Windrush Scandal, the Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS) has been in operation for over three years. The WCS has been subject to significant criticism which has led to some reform. In the first part of this event a panel of legal experts explored the key deficiencies with the WCS, the strategic legal challenges being made and the key areas of reform needed. In the second half, the panel focused on the ongoing impact on clients and the need for action. The audience heard from a Windrush victim about their experience of the WCS and Anna Steiner (a member of the JUSTICE working group Reforming the WCS) explored the significant unmet legal need for victims of the Windrush scandal by reference to her recent research and the on-going access to justice issues for victims. Panel: - Martin Forde KC, (the independent Advisor to the Windrush Compensation Scheme (2018 – 2021)) - Grace Brown (Barrister at Garden Court Chambers) - Van Fergusson (Windrush Justice Clinic Solicitor at Southwark Law Centre) - Jeremy Bloom (Duncan Lewis Solicitor). - Anna Steiner (Supervising Solicitor & Lecturer, King’s Legal Clinic, King’s College London & member of the JUSTICE working group Reforming the WCS) The panel was be chaired by Shaila Pal, Director and Supervising Solicitor, King’s Legal Clinic. Each speaker offered a short presentation, followed by a discussion and Q&A. This event was organised as part of Black History Month and delivered by King’s Legal Clinic(part of The Dickson Poon School of Law) in collaboration with the Windrush Justice Clinic and Southwark Law Centre. King’s Legal Clinic & Windrush Justice Clinic King’s Legal Clinic is part of the broader Windrush Justice Clinic (WJC) collaboration. Set up in 2020, the WJC is a partnership made up of community organisations, law centres and universities striving to help victims of the hostile immigration environment receive the compensation they deserve. The WJC utilises the strengths of its various partners to offer comprehensive pro bono assistance to victims whilst also engaging in advocacy and on-going reform discussions in respect of the Windrush Schemes. King’s Legal Clinic aims to promote social justice and educate students, as part of its commitment to promote access to justice. King’s Legal Clinic joined the WJC in 2021. King’s Legal Clinic works with all the partners and has a specific partnership with Southwark Law Centre. Students from King’s support the work of the WJC Solicitor at Southwark Law Centre, by helping raise awareness of the WCS through a series of workshops in the community and assisting in the preparation of compensation claims