Paul Laverty's life journey began in Calcutta, India, where he was born to an Irish mother and a Scottish father. His academic pursuits took him to the Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Philosophy degree. Subsequently, he obtained a law degree in Glasgow and went on to complete an apprenticeship with two of Scotland's most renowned lawyers, which ultimately led to him becoming a practicing lawyer.
However, his professional path took an unexpected turn when he traveled to Nicaragua in the mid-eighties, where he resided for nearly three years. During this time, he worked for a Nicaraguan human rights organization, which enabled him to travel extensively throughout Guatemala and El Salvador, both of which were embroiled in civil war.
In 1984, Laverty was awarded the prestigious Fullbright Award, which allowed him to live in Los Angeles for 18 months. Following his time in Central America, he established a connection with director Ken Loach, and since then, they have collaborated on numerous projects, forging a long-standing partnership.
