Stephen Lawrence: Its impact and legacy

Key players from one of Britain’s landmark legal cases gave an inspirational talk to past and present law students from London South Bank University. You can now view the lecture in full...

From left to right: Imran Khan, Andy Unger, Doreen Lawrence

Doreen Lawrence - mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence - was joined by family solicitor Imran Khan to discuss their struggle to secure justice.

Her son was murdered in a racist attack which led the nation to reflect on attitudes to race and justice. A public inquiry into the case - one of the most high-profile in Britain - accused the Metropolitan Police of 'institutional racism' and incompetence. The Macpherson Report's recommendations also triggered a major reform of the justice system.

The lecture explored the legacy of the legal campaign for justice and also focused on the need for another public inquiry into police corruption.

Andy Unger, Head of the Law Department at LSBU, said: "Since the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence, the long journey embarked upon by his family, assisted by Mr Khan, to obtain justice has changed the face of policing and criminal justice in Great Britain."

Mrs Lawrence also talked about the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and its 'Good to Great' educational programme which provides financial and work readiness support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter and sustain careers in under-represented professions, including law.

The University has close links with the Lawrence case - Mr Khan was a part-time law lecturer in the Law Department when he was a trainee. Since then he has been appointed a Visiting Fellow and, more recently, a Visiting Professor. Several LSBU students have also gained work experience at his law firm.

Additionally, four of the Lawrence family's legal team - during the private prosecution and the public inquiry - were either past students or staff in the Law Department.

Mr Unger added: "This was a very prestigious event for the University and the lecture proved inspirational for all those present.

"Mr Khan has a long association with our Law Department, but Mrs Lawrence has never spoken here before, and is, despite her media profile, a very reluctant public speaker."

The event provided alumni with an excellent opportunity for them to reconnect with former classmates, other law professionals and staff. The event also helped to further strengthen the Law Department's links with employers and the local legal community, with representatives from the South London Law Society and the Southwark Legal Advice Network among the 200 people who attended.

View the lecture

Full video (1hr 33mins)

Watch the interview with Imran Khan

Watch the interview with Doreen Lawrence

Watch Andy Unger's talk

Watch Max Weaver's Talk

Watch Doreen Lawrence's talk

Watch Imran Khan's Talk

Law students and alumni