Legal Support

GBC Legal acts against harassment and intimidation of protesters by the police and prosecutors.

We are not a law firm. We recommend solicitors who have a track record of successfully defending people arrested at demonstrations and on actions.

Through ‘Know Your Rights’ workshops and answering people’s enquiries prior to actions we help make people more confident going into their actions.

“They responded very quickly (pretty much instantly!) to our initial request for advice … This was useful, especially since most of us had never done anything quite like this before.”

On protests, legal observers monitor policing and distribute legal advice bustcards to protesters.  Having legal observers present lets protesters know that the actions of the police are being watched.

“Building confidence is a huge part of facilitating disabled peoples protests, and having the legal observers alongside activists definitely has meant that many have participated who wouldn’t have without them… the sight of their orange vests was a fantastic reassurance.”

When people are arrested or assaulted, we work to gather witnesses and evidence helpful to their defences and cases against the police.

“GBC Legal collates and preserves primary evidence, and locates eyewitnesses. These are the things that, quite simply, make the difference between a miscarriage of justice and acquittal.”

“Later, GBC enabled many disparate protesters, including some who – like me – had never been arrested before, to meet others in a similar position and to share concerns and plans for a successful defence and media campaign.”

We help people’s friends and groups to organise support at police stations following arrests.

“Once again a million thank-yous to the girl that met us out of Peckham police station … I will never forget the hug and the kind words that meant so much after 23 hours in a cell. It was totally unexpected and a very human moment after so many hours of inhumanity and fear.”

And later on, we support people who want to take action against the police for their mistreatment and abuses.

In solidarity!