Ahmedabad Alumni’s Study on PIL for Social Justice Accepted at Chang Mai 2025 International Public Policy Association

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has proven to be a catalyst, significantly expanding the role of constitutional courts in advancing justice and driving legal and societal transformation within the Global South. A comprehensive comparative study conducted by our alumni Shalvi Shah and Shashvi Shah (BBA (Hons)​​​​​​, Class of 2023) delves into the profound impact of PIL on shaping social justice across these regions.

The paper "Public Interest Litigation as a Tool for Social Change: The Role of Constitutional Courts in India, South Africa, and Kenya" offers a comparative analysis of these three nations, examining how they have leveraged PIL to advance social change. The study highlights their distinct jurisprudential approaches, landmark judgments, and socio-political impacts.

The comparative analysis of these jurisdictions explores the varying effectiveness of PIL as a tool for social change within different legal and political contexts. India's activist judicial approach has expanded judicial power, while South Africa has institutionalised PIL within its constitutional framework. Kenya, conversely, presents a hybrid model, evolving within a nascent constitutional democracy.

This paper also addresses the inherent challenges of judicial activism, the separation of powers, and the accessibility of PIL mechanisms. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations for enhancing the role of PIL in deepening democratic processes, strengthening human rights enforcement, and ensuring governmental accountability.

The study has been accepted for presentation at the seventh edition of the International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP7) in Chiang Mai 2025, a prestigious platform for scholars and practitioners to engage in critical policy discussions.

Shalvi Shah was also recently selected for the Global Leadership Workshop (GLoW) in Prague, Czech Republic, where she represented India, and the project Project MAHS: Menstrual Awareness, Hygiene, and Sanitation, focusing on creating sustainable solutions for menstrual health.