Justin's Law
Learn about Justin’s Law, the JE3 Foundation’s campaign led by Charlie Edinburgh to make defibrillators mandatory in UK sports facilities.
Every year in the UK thousands suffer sudden cardiac arrest, many could be saved if the correct equipment and training were in place in the critical early minutes. In memory of former footballer and manager Justin Edinburgh, who tragically passed away following a cardiac arrest in June 2019, the JE3 Foundation has launched a campaign for a legislative change known as Justin’s Law, which would mandate the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in UK sport facilities.
Who was Justin Edinburgh?
Justin had a long and successful career in football: he made over 200 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, won the FA Cup in 1991, and later went into management successfully, leading Leyton Orient back into the Football League in 2019.
On 8 June 2019 he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away aged 49, a shock to the football community and beyond. His passing highlighted how sudden cardiac arrest can affect anyone, anywhere, and how swift intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
In the wake of this tragedy, his family established the JE3 Foundation to turn grief into a legacy of life-saving action.
Charlie Edinburgh and the Birth of the JE3 Foundation
Following the sudden passing of his father, Charlie Edinburgh turned heartbreak into purpose. Determined that no other family should experience the same loss, Charlie founded the JE3 Foundation in 2020 in memory of Justin Edinburgh. Named after his father’s initials and football shirt number, JE3 stands for Justin Edinburgh 3, a tribute that carries his legacy forward through life-saving action.
Charlie’s vision was clear from the beginning: to raise awareness of cardiac arrest, increase access to defibrillators, and ensure that more people are trained and confident to perform CPR. Under his leadership, the Foundation has grown into a powerful voice for change across the UK, donating defibrillators to sports clubs, schools, and communities, delivering CPR training, and campaigning for Justin’s Law, a movement to make AEDs mandatory in all health and sports facilities.
Through his dedication and advocacy, Charlie has transformed his personal loss into a nationwide mission to save lives , proving that from tragedy, hope and change can emerge.
What is Justin’s Law?
At its core, Justin’s Law is a proposed legislative change in the UK to require that certain venues, in particular sports and health-related facilities, are equipped with an AED (automated external defibrillator) and that people on-site are trained to use it (and perform CPR). According to the JE3 Foundation:
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“Current UK legislation does not require health and sport facilities to be equipped with life-saving defibrillators.”
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The campaign aims to make the installation of AEDs mandatory in all health and sports facilities across the UK.
This is not just about purchasing a machine but embedding a culture of readiness: training staff and volunteers in CPR and AED use, ensuring devices are maintained and accessible, and integrating this into legal duty of care for venues.
Why is it needed?
There are several compelling reasons why Justin’s Law is so important:
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Time is critical in a cardiac arrest. The chance of survival decreases by around 10 % with every minute that passes without defibrillation. Having an AED on site means that treatment can begin far sooner.
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Prevalence in community and sports settings. While many think of cardiac arrest in hospitals, it can happen anywhere, gyms, sports clubs, schools, offices. Ensuring AED access where people gather is vital.
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Legacy and awareness. Justin’s death, and the work of the JE3 Foundation, have shone a spotlight on how preventable some cardiac arrest deaths might be with the right equipment and training. By advocating law change, the Foundation aims to make this a systemic shift, not just a voluntary one.
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Empowerment of bystanders. With an AED and basic CPR training, an untrained member of the public can become a lifesaver. The JE3 Foundation emphasises training as well as equipment.
How will it work (and what’s needed)?
For Justin’s Law to have real impact, several components will need to align:
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Legal mandate- Legislation will need to define the types of venues required to have an AED, the standards for installation, signage, maintenance and training.
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Funding and access- Many smaller clubs, community groups and schools may need support to acquire and maintain AEDs. Partnerships, grants and donations help bridge this gap. The JE3 Foundation already donates defibrillators and delivers training.
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Training and maintenance- An AED does no good if people don’t know how to use it, or it’s not stored/accessed correctly. Regular checks, signage, public-access registration and CPR training are essential.
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Awareness and culture- Changing public perception so that AEDs are seen as standard safety equipment, not optional, and ensuring venues treat them as core to safety planning.
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Data and evaluation- Monitoring installations, responses and outcomes will help build the case for the law and refine best practice.
What has been achieved so far?
The JE3 Foundation has already made significant strides:
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They have donated AEDs to community sports clubs, schools and public venues to expand access.
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Delivering CPR and AED training sessions across the UK to empower more people.
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Their petition for Justin’s Law is gaining traction, highlighting public support for mandatory AEDs. Notably, there are real stories of lives saved where AEDs and training have made the difference, showing the impact is tangible, not theoretical.
Why Defib Supplies supports this initiative
At Defib Supplies we believe that every organisation, club, school and community deserves to have the equipment and training needed to respond to a cardiac arrest. Our support for the JE3 Foundation and Justin’s Law comes from:
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Aligning with our mission to increase access to AEDs and CPR training.
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Recognition that legislation can bring about widespread, systemic change, meaning more lives saved across more settings.
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Knowing that working together with charities, communities and suppliers creates momentum and scale.
What you can do to help bring Justin’s Law to life
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Sign and share the petition for Justin’s Law: every signature helps show the demand for change.
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Ensure your organisation or venue is prepared: if you don’t already have an AED, consider installing one, training your people and registering it.
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Support community initiatives: donate to or partner with the JE3 Foundation, or other organisations working in defibrillator access and CPR education.
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Promote awareness: share stories of survival, AED installations and the importance of early defibrillation and CPR.
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Advocate locally: speak to your club, school, workplace or local council about AED access and how Justin’s Law could impact your community.
Justin Edinburgh’s legacy is driving change. Through the JE3 Foundation’s campaign for Justin’s Law, a vision is emerging of a safer UK where AEDs and CPR training are standard, not optional. It’s an ambitious goal, but one which, if realised, could save many lives.
At Defib Supplies we stand alongside the foundation, ready to support organisations in acquiring the right equipment, delivering the right training and driving a culture of preparedness. In memory of Justin, let’s work together to turn tragedy into action, and ensure that when every second counts, help is at hand.
If you’d like more information on how your organisation can install an AED, arrange training or support the campaign for Justin’s Law, please get in touch with us at Defib Supplies. Let’s make life-saving equipment accessible everywhere.