The Differential Use of Litigation by NGOs: A Case Study on Antidiscrimination Legal Mobilization in Belgium

This article aims to explain the differential use of litigation by social movements pursuing change. While previous studies have sought compare non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that turn with those do not, we study all resorted at least once legal action. Taking Belgium and field antidiscrimination as a case study, our research confirms findings literature characteristics environment impact on choice whether or not go court. But also find action is used differentially NGOs depending two factors in particular: their position an insider outsider political realm possession resources. Based quantitative measure actions initiated interviews activists, propose typology civil society organizations—which label “experienced litigants,” “occasional “litigants necessity”—that could be transposed other contexts types interest groups.