Stephen Jakobi, our sponsor, founded Fair Trials Abroad in 1992. and retired from active involvement in the summer of 2006. In August, he took soundings from a wide circle of contacts and circulated preliminary ideas for a new organisation, based on his experience, to tackle obstacles to justice for foreigners on a task by task basis. The perceived need was that people who are already committed to a limited mission and have the intellectual capacity to become experts needed the support of recognised figures in the field to give weight to their project so that they are taken seriously and the ability to communicate effectively to the audiences they need to convince to effect change. Further there is a need to supplement such efforts already initiated by a group capable of “own initiatives” where a new perceived need within the mission of new organisation, called The Just Umbrella, arises. The overall aim being to fill in the gaps where they are not properly filled by existing arrangements or established NGOs.
Further it is intended that TJU will apply and initiate pressure for political action in relevant situations where no groups or NGOs function effectively.
Patron: Lord David Ramsbothom: A notable success as the Chief Inspector of prisons, he has brought to the House of Lords, widely respected expertise in prison management and reform
Sponsor: Stephen Jakobi, OBE: Internationally recognised Human Rights lawyer Founder and Patron of Fair Trials Abroad
The steering committee is in the process of being formed from a wide variety of professionals ranging from journalists to judges and prosecutors. The steering committee will communicate by e-mail, and is designed for busy people with no time to waste on matters outside their own personal interests. All papers and ideas will be circulated and there will be no need to respond unless the member concerned wishes to make a point. Once the start-up phase of TJU is complete we will publish a list of members.
We would welcome anyone who wishes to join the steering committee who could offer some expertise within the broad ambit of justice, ranging as it does from police investigation to prison management. Please email a CV to the sponsor.
Stephen Jakobi is the volunteer who will be running this web site, with advice from the steering committee. For further details click here
Give Money: We are not a charity, just a voluntary organisation for the time being, funded by the sponsor. No one is salaried, and we do have overheads, and any money donated will go communication costs. Use the button below, or for further information click here
Support a project: please visit our projects page where you will find a list of projects and details of how to offer your services.
Join the steering committee: if you have expertise to offer us please click here for further details