Harnessing the Social Function of Law
A global student-led think tank dedicated to exploring how the law shapes society and advancing legal research to drive social change.
Our Focus Areas
VOICE
We give students a platform to share bold legal writing that challenges convention and sparks meaningful public debate. From articles to commentary, we amplify voices that push the law in new directions.
INSIGHT
We connect student researchers with NGOs, legal teams, and socially responsible companies. Together, we work on legal solutions that are not only sound, but also socially aware and grounded in impact.
IMPACT
We collaborate with educators to bring the social function of law into classrooms. By rethinking how law is taught, we help students see it not just as a system, but as a living tool for justice.
Latest Research
Financial Exclusion and Criminalization of Poverty in Colombia: An Analysis Based on Ruling T-113 of 2025 of the Colombian Constitutional Court
In Ruling T-113 of 2025, the Colombian Constitutional Court addressed the case of Augusto Flórez Lozano, who was repeatedly denied access to a savings account due to his criminal record. The Court held that financial compliance systems like SARLAFT cannot be applied automatically when they obstruct the constitutional right to reintegration. It emphasized that access to the financial system is indispensable for social and economic reintegration and that blanket exclusions reinforce stigma and perpetuate inequality. By ordering banks to open an account for Flórez and instructing the Financial Superintendency to issue clear guidelines, the Court underscored that financial inclusion is not a privilege but a fundamental condition for economic citizenship. As Juan Camilo Boada Acosta notes, this decision marks a milestone in balancing AML/CFT obligations with human dignity, affirming that reintegration must be a practical reality rather than a constitutional aspiration.
Systemic Barriers in Human Rights Courts
This case commentary analyses the ECtHR’s 2024 rulings in Duarte Agostinho and KlimaSeniorinnen, highlighting how restrictive interpretations of jurisdiction and victim status continue to impede access to climate justice. While the Court recognised collective standing in KlimaSeniorinnen, it reaffirmed procedural and territorial barriers in Duarte Agostinho. The commentary argues that without a more inclusive, context-sensitive approach, the ECtHR risks sidelining climate-affected individuals.
Evolution of rights of nature: A Comparative Analysis of Ecuador and Spain
A comparison of Ecuador and Spain reveals that Ecuador’s ecocentric, indigenous-informed legal framework enables stronger recognition of nature’s rights, while Spain’s anthropocentric, individualistic system constrains similar legal developments.
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