How to Get a Career in Human Rights - The Law Society ...

How to Get a Career in Human Rights 

Leeds 

7 March 2012

How to Get a Career in Human Rights 

In association with the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association 

7 March 2012 

Contents 

About the Human Rights Lawyers‟ Association ......................................................... 3 

The Law Society‟s International Action Team ........................................................... 4 

HRLA Bursary .......................................................................................................... 5 

Biographies 

Alison Gerry .................................................................................................. 6 

Nick Williams ................................................................................................. 7 

Ruth Pogonowski .......................................................................................... 9 

Jonny Butterworth ....................................................................................... 11 

Shamshuddin Makkan ................................................................................. 12 

Jesse Nicholls ............................................................................................. 14 

Tim Moloney ............................................................................................... 16 

Rachel Robinson ......................................................................................... 18 

Matthew Jury ............................................................................................... 20 

Angela Patrick ............................................................................................. 22 

Saadia Khan ............................................................................................... 24 

Sarah Smith ................................................................................................ 26 

Murray Wesson ........................................................................................... 28 

Felicity Williams ........................................................................................... 30 

Al Mustakim ................................................................................................ 32 

Human Rights Organisations .................................................................................. 33 

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human rights lawyers association 

About the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association 

The HRLA‟s principal objective is to promote, protect and develop effective legal 

protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms within the UK legal framework 

and system of government. 

The HRLA is a forum for those involved in the law and legal professions to discuss 

human rights issues. It facilitates the sharing of knowledge and ideas about human 

rights law and fosters the exchange of views between specialists from different areas 

of expertise and the wider legal community. 

The HRLA aims to further research, education and training in all areas of human 

rights law; it collaborates with organisations whose objectives are similar to those of 

the HRLA; it supports students in their human rights work in the UK and abroad; it 

organises critical and constructive seminars, lectures, workshops and debates about 

topical human rights issues. 

The HRLA seeks to respond quickly to any developments that affect human rights 

law in the UK. This may be a judgment of the House of Lords or the European Court 

of Human Rights, or evolving Government policy. The events based on these 

developments are free, or subsidized, for HRLA members and strive to create a 

forum for interactive discussion and debate. 

Past events include Sexual Apartheid, Political Islam and Women’s Rights; Inquests, 

Inquiries and the Right to Life; Torture Team: The Lawyers who Authorised Torture; 

Complicity with Apartheid; The Future of Children’s Rights in the UK; Human Rights 

and the Environment. 

For upcoming events see www.hrla.org.uk/events 

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous 

acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a 

world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and 

freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of 

the common people 

Preamble, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 

3

The Law Society’s International Action Team 

The Law Society's International Action Team (IAT) is a network of pro bono lawyers 

and law students who assist with the Society‟s human rights work. 

The aim is to provide international human rights opportunities for all, regardless of 

your level of qualification or previous human rights experience, if any. 

There are 2 main ways to participate: interventions or working groups. 

Interventions 

Members of the IAT are involved in researching or drafting interventions. A 

dedicated group of researchers (mostly students) monitors for violations, 

investigates them and alerts the network. One volunteer (usually non-student) drafts 

a letter that will be signed by the President of the Law Society on behalf of the 

profession. 

The Law Society writes interventions to governments and responsible authorities: 

 

 

 

 

in support of lawyers whose human rights have been violated; 

opposing restrictions on the freedom and independence of the legal 

profession; 

challenging threats to the independence of the judiciary and the proper 

administration of justice; and 

opposing systemic or gross violations of the rule of law. 

For examples of interventions, see http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/node/3806 

To join the IAT, you will first have to attend our intervention training. To receive 

notification of the next training session, volunteering/job opportunities, other events 

and Law Society human rights news, please contact 

sarah.j.smith@lawsociety.org.uk or courtenay.barklem@lawsociety.org.uk 

Working Groups 

IAT members are encouraged to form working groups of volunteers to research, 

monitor and act upon human rights issues of common interest. Working groups have 

included: Events, Lawyers at Risk, Independence of the Legal Profession, Russia, 

Colombia, Iraq, Malaysia, and Pakistan. 

The work of each working group is primarily driven by its members with logistical 

support from the Law Society. Their work very often informs the Law Society‟s 

overall human rights policy. 

For examples of working groups, see 

http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/node/2518 and 

http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/node/2779 

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human rights lawyers association 

HRLA Bursary 

The Human Rights Lawyers Association is pleased to announce the launch of the 

2012 HRLA Bursary Scheme. 

The HRLA recognises that those without independent financial backing can 

sometimes be unable to take up internships, work placements and other either 

unpaid or poorly paid work in human rights law. They may therefore miss out on 

these opportunities and this can lead to their being disadvantaged when applying for 

jobs within the human rights field. To assist people in this position, in 2006 the HRLA 

established a bursary scheme to assist law students, either those currently studying 

(either undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies or LPC/BVC/Law Conversion 

Course) or those who have recently graduated, in undertaking such work. 

Each year the HRLA will provide around 5 awards from a maximum annual bursary 

fund of around £6,000, provided there are suitable applicants. A single award will not 

normally total more than £1,000. 

Please see the bursary section of the website (http://www.hrla.org.uk/Bursary.php) 

for the detailed policy document and application form, and for reports from previous 

bursary recipients. If you have any questions about the scheme, please, in the first 

instance, consult the policy document, which should answer all your questions. 

Best of luck with your bursary applications. 

HRLA Bursary Committee 

5

Alison Gerry 

Doughty Street Chambers 

Alison Gerry specialises in prison law, mental health, actions against the police, 

inquests and related public law. Alison has particular expertise in international 

human rights law, and the European Convention on Human Rights. She has 

conducted human rights training on behalf of the Council of Europe, in Albania, 

Turkey and in Serbia, and for the British Council and for the Foreign and 

Commonwealth Office. 

Alison‟s notable cases include the House of Lords case of Van Colle and another v 

Chief Constable of the Hertfordshire Police (Secretary of State for the Home 

Department and others intervening) [2008] 3 WLR 593 in which she was junior 

counsel for the NGO interveners. The joined cases concerned claims in negligence 

and breaches of Article 2 where the police were alleged to have failed to protect the 

lives of the victims of crimes. She has also appeared as junior counsel in the Privy 

Council in Atain Takitota v. The (1) Attorney General, (2) The Director of Immigration 

(3) Minister of National Security, Appeal No 71 of 2007, where she represented a 

Petitioner who had been unlawfully detained for over 8 years in prison in the 

Bahamas. 

Alison was junior counsel in the successful group litigation claim against the Home 

office concerning the treatment of opiate dependant prisoners, in which the Home 

Office conceded liability in negligence, breach of human rights and assault. Alison 

was also junior counsel in a group litigation claim being brought by nearly 30,000 

claimants in the Ivory Coast for personal injuries following the dumping of toxic 

waste at various sites in Abijan, Ivory Coast. 

Alison has also appeared in the Privy Council in death penalty cases, including in 

Boyce & Joseph v R (2005) 1 AC 400 (challenge to the mandatory death penalty in 

Barbados) and successfully before the Inter American Court of Human Rights in 

Costa Rica. She is also now advising African lawyers who are bringing similar 

challenges to the death penalty in Malawi, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya and 

Zambia. 

Before joining Doughty Street, Alison Gerry was the Human Rights Adviser to the 

Consular Directorate at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. She is the 

Chair of the Human Rights Lawyers Association. 

In July 2007 Alison was awarded the LAPG Young legal aid barrister of the year 

award and in December 2006 she was also short listed for the Peter Duffy Award 

(formerly the Young Human Rights Lawyer of the Year Award). She was nominated 

for “her tenacity and dedication to grassroots human rights issues", and "for her work 

in representing vulnerable people and for her battles on behalf of the families of 

prisoners and mental health patients who have died in detention". 

6

Nick Williams 

Amnesty International 

I am a solicitor and Legal Counsel at Amnesty International (at Amnesty‟s 

International Secretariat based in London). My role as Amnesty‟s in-house lawyer is 

primarily operational, but is diverse - I provide legal support to all parts of the 

organisation on libel, litigation, governance, intellectual property, compliance and 

supporting Amnesty‟s international operations and membership work. 

Previous roles: 

Save the Children UK: legal adviser (2008-2009) worked as a full-time in-house 

lawyer 

Hogan Lovells – associate in litigation team. Worked on international commercial 

disputes; gained higher rights of audience (2003-2007) 

Education 

Masters in Human Rights at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences 

(2007-2008) 

Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School (2001- 2003) 

BA (joint hons) Russian and German languages, University of Leeds (1996-2001) 

Volunteer work / membership 

Previous volunteer work at the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (London), 

Global Witness (London) and OHCHR (Geneva) 

Member of RAW in WAR 

Member of Human Rights Lawyers Association and Amnesty International. 

1. Which human rights practitioners do you find most inspiring? 

I find all sorts of people inspiring, but incredibly inspiring are those whose work as 

human rights practitioners puts them (and their families or friends) at serious 

personal risk, for example the lawyers who work for the Russian human rights group 

Memorial. I also went to a recent talk by Gareth Peirce on Shaker Aamed at LSE; 

Gareth is an inspiring speaker. 

2. When did you decide to follow a career in human rights? Was there one 

defining moment? 

I have always been interested in human rights issues, but a defining moment was a 

visit to Burma/Myanmar while a law student. I met some members of the political 

opposition movement whose ongoing work demonstrated required huge bravery and 

personal sacrifice. 

3. Did you do any internships or voluntary placements on your route into 

human rights work? 

Yes, I did placements at Global Witness, and European Human Rights Advocacy 

Centre (EHRAC, London), and an internship at OHCHR (Geneva) 

4. What has been the high-point of your human rights career so far? 

There are a lot of high-points; recent highpoint work with a report on oil spills in the 

Niger Delta – we release our latest report in November 2011 entitled „the True 

Tragedy‟; we are now launching a campaign. 

7

5. What has been the low-point? 

No real low points so far working in NGO sector, quite a few previous low points in 

corporate law career (working one Christmas day afternoon is one example) 

6. Is there a current human rights debate that you are particularly interested 

in? 

The debate around the deportation of Abu Qatada and the ECHR. 

7. What is your favourite human right? 

Right to liberty and security of the person 

8. Do you support the work of a particular human rights NGO? 

I‟ve been a long time supporter of Amnesty International (and still a member!) 

9. What is your dream job? 

I am really enjoying my current job (but to work in human rights at the UN is 

something I‟ve always dreamed of) 

10. When was the last time that you pulled an all-nighter? 

Not since my days in corporate law (5 years ago) 

11. What was the last book you read? 

The Challenge for Africa (Wangari Maathai) 

8

Ruth Pogonowski 

Ministry of Justice 

"After graduating from Brunel University, Ruth worked as a research assistant at the 

Law Commission before being called to the Bar in 2006. Ruth initially worked as 

a self employed barrister specialising in criminal work before joining the Ministry of 

Justice in 2008. Since joining the Ministry of Justice Ruth has been a member of 

the Criminal Law Team and most recently the Information and Human Rights Team 

where she currently leads on the co-ordination of human rights litigation across 

Government. Ruth is also a keen triathlete and represented the United Kingdom at 

the Triathlon World Championships in Budapest in 2010." 


Two people in particular have really shaped my career. 

The first was the late Anthony Jennings QC who remains the best criminal advocate 

I have ever seen in court. His untimely death was a huge loss to the criminal Bar. 

The second is my current boss Daniel Denman. His knowledge of human rights law 

is at times astounding, but he is also one of the nicest people I have ever worked 

with and has the patience of a saint! If I could have one super power it would be to 

be able to copy his corporate memory to my own brain! 



I started out life as a criminal law practitioner and initially joined the criminal law 

team at the Ministry of Justice. However, one of the nice things about working as a 

Government lawyer is that we are encouraged to gain experience in as many areas 

of law as possible during our careers. I joined the information and human rights 

team at the Ministry of Justice in 2010 and was a data protection lawyer before 

taking over responsibility for human rights law last year. 

3. Did you do any internships or voluntary placements on your route into human 

rights work? 

I worked as a Citizen‟s Advice Bureau Advisor at university. 


The first time I sat in the officials‟ box during a committee debate on a Bill and heard 

a speech I had helped draft read out by our Minister. Realising that that speech 

would be recorded in Hansard and become part of history was a real “I can‟t believe 

I‟m doing this” moment. 


Pupillage in general! 

6. Is there a current human rights debate that you are particularly interested in? 

I think the current relationship between our domestic courts and Strasbourg is 

fascinating. 

9


The right to education, so fundamental but so easily overlooked. 


None in particular but I have a lot of time for those who are willing to engage 

constructively with the Government to work towards finding solutions to human rights 

issues. 


Professional Triathlete. 


Either I‟ve led a sheltered life or been very lucky because I‟ve never actually stayed 

up all night, I value my sleep far too much anyway. 


I asked for a Kindle for Christmas fully intending that I would use it to download 

some books that I “should” have read…. I‟m currently reading the Shopaholic series! 

10

Jonny Butterworth 

Jonny is a Public Law Teaching Fellow at University College London (UCL), and a 

Guest Teacher at London School of Economics (LSE). He currently acts as an 

advisor to the British Institute of Human Rights on their „Human Rights in the 

Community‟ project, which aims to empower individuals and communities with 

human rights language and tools. The project directly supports local community 

groups, through pilot projects in the South East (including London), North East and 

North West England regions. Jonny also acts an Economic, Social and Cultural 

Rights Consultant for Age UK on their „Older People and Human Rights Project‟- 

which aims to empower disadvantaged older people to use human rights to influence 

decisions affecting their lives and wider public policy. 

Jonny also co-founded, and was President of, the UCL Student Human Rights 

Programme (UCLSHRP) from 2007 to 2009. The UCLSHRP is a student lead 

human rights organisation which seeks to foster a vibrant culture of human rights 

within UCL and wider communities by initiating awareness, instigating debate and 

inspiring action. (For further information see: http://www.uclshrp.com.) In February 

2009 he worked with a team of UCLSHRP students to draft the Convention on 

Modern Liberty report entitled “The Abolition of Freedom Act 2009.” The report 

examined the human rights compatibility of over 550 pieces of primary and 

secondary legislation enacted since 1997. Jonny has also presented seminars, 

published articles and given lectures on human rights law. He read law at 

Undergraduate and Master‟s level, specialising in human rights and international 

law. 

11

Shamshuddin Makkan 

Divisional Crown Advocate 

Shamshuddin Makkan was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 1987. He spent 

time at the European Court of Human Rights and the Commission in Strasbourg. 

He currently is a Divisional Crown Advocate in England & Wales ensuring human 

rights compliant investigations and prosecutions – e.g. handling cases ensuring 

proportionate surveillance and other intrusive investigative techniques are used, 

deprivation of liberty decisions and the imposition of conditions are proportionate. 

His day to day role is to ensure that the fair trial provisions in article 6 ECHR are 

achieved – balancing and ensuring that the rights of the accused, victims and 

witnesses are not unjustifiably imperilled. 

During his time as a prosecutor he has been involved in training prosecutors, police, 

defence advocates, magistrates, local authority personnel, medical profession and 

others. He was involved in training human rights in Northern Ireland during the Good 

Friday Agreement. He advised in the case of Lambert, Ali & Jordan which were 

conjoined appeal cases and in the very early days of the Human Rights Act 1998 – 

the cases involved reverse burden of proof in murder/homicide cases. 

Sam has also worked as a Rule of Law and Judicial Reform consultant in 

international development projects. In this capacity he has worked in 10 different 

countries – almost always the work involved taking human rights based approach to 

development, rule of law and judicial reform. He worked with Ministry of Justice 

lawyers in Georgia preparing the inter-state case of Georgia v The Russian 

Federation at the admissibility stage. The case was subsequently admitted and is 

currently awaiting determination in the Grand Chamber. 

He is author of two books - on The Human Rights Act and the Equality Act. He has 

written articles on different human rights topics. He has been involved in many 

human rights conferences, capacity building work, training, workshops, and focus 

groups. 


Those in the field and on the ground dealing with human rights issues in conflict 

affected areas and countries. 



No, there was no defining moment. I read international law in the course of which I 

spent time in Strasbourg at the Commission and the ECtHR. That greatly inspired 

me – another milestone was the Human Rights Act 1998. 


rights work? 

I did a lot writing, training, conferences when the 1998 Act was passed. I delivered 

training to a diverse range of practitioners both legal and non-legal nationally and 

internally. 

12


Being consultant on the inter-state case of Georgia V Russian Federation – a case 

which was contested at the admissibility stage. The Case was admitted and is now 

awaiting determination in the Grand Chamber. 


The media story that the citizens of UK could refuse to put out their rubbish bins 

because they had such a right under ECHR! 


Environmental and developmental rights issues as a tool to poverty reduction. 


The right to left alone (privacy – Article 8) 


I am a Rule of Law and Judicial Reform consultant, which inevitably leads me to 

work with different NGO‟s and CBO‟s. I am also a practicing barrister with a 

predominantly criminal law practice. 


Banker. 


2 years ago – but no more! 


Prosecuting George Bush for War Crimes – a book written by an American 

Prosecutor 

13

Jesse Nicholls 

Tooks Chambers 

Jesse recently completed pupillage at Tooks Chambers and undertakes a broad 

mixture of prison, inquest, immigration and employment law work, as well as some 

criminal appeal work. Jesse completed the Bar Vocational Course at BPP and the 

law conversion course at City University. Prior to that he did a History degree at 

Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked for a year as a political lobbyist. Jesse 

currently takes on cases for Bail for Immigration Detainees, and previously 

volunteered at the Islington Legal Advice Centre and at the Citizens Advice Bureau 

in the Principal Registry of the Family Division. He also interned at the Independent 

Jamaican Council for Human Rights before starting pupillage. 


The people I‟ve worked with at places like the Independent Jamaican Council for 

Human Rights and the Citizens Advice Bureau I found particularly inspiring. They are 

committed to upholding and defending the human rights of ordinary people on a daily 

basis, often in the absence of adequate resources and in the face of really difficult 

obstacles. I‟m also inspired by those human rights defenders around the world who 

face very real risks of personal harm while protecting vulnerable people and 

speaking out. 



There was never a single moment I don‟t think. After university I was keen to try and 

find a job I‟d find intellectually interesting and of some wider benefit beyond myself 

but wasn‟t really sure what that was. I eventually did the law conversion, I think 

because I had an unformed sense that legal activism had become an important part 

of holding government to account, and from there I realised I was particularly 

interested in trying to take on human rights and public law work for people in need of 

representation, often at very difficult times in their lives. 


rights work? 

I volunteered one day a week at the Citizens Advice Bureau in the Principal Registry 

of the Family Division in London during my conversion course, and one evening a 

week at the Islington Legal Advice Centre during my BVC. In the summer after my 

conversion course I also spent 6 weeks at the Independent Jamaican Council for 

Human Rights. 


There have been a few cases that were particularly satisfying, mainly because they 

were in situations where had I not been able to take on the case, it‟s likely that the 

people involved would have had no representation at all. I recently represented a 

family at the inquest into the death of their son/brother, who had been found hanging 

in the showers of the mental health wing of a prison. The inquest took place over 

four years after the death and lasted seven days, and all the family wanted was to be 

able to ask questions, find out what had happened, and gain some sort of closure. 

14

In completely different circumstances, I represented a single mother, who had 

suffered from domestic violence, at an appeal into the removal of her benefits which 

was going to leave her destitute. Succeeding in that appeal was a high-point. 


Walking around the main remand centre outside Kingston, Jamaica. There are 6 

people to a cell, no natural light, 40 degree temperature, virtually 24 hour lock down, 

and this applies to people who have yet to face trial. Some had lived in those 

conditions for upwards of 4 years. 

There have also been a few of my own cases where I‟ve been left with the feeling 

that the gap between what is lawful and what is just can be enormous, and the 

clients‟ clearly felt the same. 


The scope of the positive operational duty under Article 2; essentially, in what 

circumstances the state is under a duty to take all reasonable steps to guard against 

a real and immediate risk to an individual‟s life, including a risk from themselves. 


Article 2. It‟s vital to controlling state force and ensuring state accountability for the 

use of force and resultant deaths. 


INQUEST 


My mum used to tell me I should run the train timetabling for London Transport 

because I hated being late for things – she‟s very disappointed by my current career 

choice. 


At the end of November 2009 – my time management skills in relation to a piece of 

coursework on the BVC went awry. I‟ve had a few late nights and early mornings 

during pupillage and practice but no all-nighters thankfully. 


I‟m currently reading Jane Eyre, and I think the last thing I read before that was 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. 

15

Tim Moloney 



Those who get on with the job without talking about it all the time. 



I decided to become a lawyer when I was about 18. I saw how people I grew up with 

had far fewer opportunities than more privileged people. I also saw unprovoked 

violence from police officers against striking workers and demonstrators. But it 

wasn‟t called „human rights‟ law then. It was about the struggle against injustice. 


rights work? 

I did one day a week voluntary work at a Trade Union Resource Centre during the 

final year of my first degree. As a volunteer, I produced reports on the activities of 

British companies in apartheid South Africa. 

I completed a mini-pupillage. 


The case of K [2008] QB 827. Until that decision, many muslims were being 

prosecuted for the possession of books which were not of any practical use to 

terrorists. K changed that and in doing so had a practical effect on the freedom of 

expression of ordinary muslims. 


Losing a case where there had been allegations that my client had been the victim of 

torture in Pakistan and the UK authorities had been complicit in it. 


The lawfulness of the targeting of suspected terrorists by armed forces around the 

world. 



Not any particular one over others. 


My job. 


Many years ago. 

16


„On Evil‟ by Terry Eagleton 

17

Rachel Robinson 

Liberty 

Rachel Robinson is a Policy Officer at Liberty (the National Council for Civil 

Liberties). As a member of the policy team she is responsible for the organisation‟s 

parliamentary lobbying and policy development. Since joining Liberty she has 

worked on a range of human rights issues including privacy rights, police powers, 

counter-terror and legal aid reform. As a Liberty spokesperson she has also spoken 

on a number of these issues. Prior to joining Liberty, Rachel practised as a legal aid 

lawyer, both at the criminal bar and as a Legal Officer for the charity Refugee and 

Migrant Justice. 


Gareth Pierce for a career spent tirelessly defending the rights of some of the most 

unpopular people in the country. If human rights are to mean anything they must be 

applied universally – that means no matter what crimes you are accused of or have 

in fact committed. 



The only reason I studied law was to pursue a career in human rights – I‟ve never 

wanted to do anything else. 


rights work? 

Yes, at University I was Co-ordinator of Student Action for Refugees and Amnesty 

International Rep for my college. After graduating I did a six month internship with 

the UN Refugee Agency and a three month internship with the Refugee Law Project 

in Kampala, Uganda. I volunteered at the weekend with the Medical Foundation for 

the Care of Victims of Torture for two years and was also one of Liberty‟s Advice and 

Information Volunteers. 


Liberty‟s policy team wrote a pamphlet called „Human Rights or Citizen’s Privileges‟ 

at the end of last year. It was in response to a Discussion Paper produced by the 

Commission on a Bill of Rights and was our attempt to correct the myth and 

misinformation surrounding the Human Rights Act. It was a massive piece of work 

and when we‟d finished we wrapped up 1500 copies and sent them out to all 

Parliamentarians in time for Christmas. We received lots of appreciative responses 

which was very heartening. 


Seeing human rights denigrated in the media and by politicians – even senior figures 

in Government - day in day out. People in the Middle East are fighting and dying for 

their fundamental freedoms – we undermine their struggle when we attack rights 

protections in this country. 


18

I am very interested in the debate around Article 8 of the Convention on Human 

Rights which protects the right to respect for private and family life. Article 8 gets a 

very bad press because it can be relied on by foreign nationals seeking to join family 

members in the UK or resist deportation. What rarely comes across in the media is 

the fact that Article 8 is a qualified right that is always weighed against the wider 

interests of society including the need to prevent crime and disorder and protect 

national security. 


Article 3 – no torture, no compromise. 


Liberty of course, but I also support the work of a number of grass-roots human 

rights organisations, especially those working with refugees and asylum seekers. 

Medical Justice is a small but dedicated organisation staffed by health professionals 

who work tirelessly to protect the rights of those in immigration detention. Kalayaan 

is another small but effective organisation fighting to protect the rights of migrant 

domestic workers. 


At the risk of sounding smug, it‟s my job now! If I wasn‟t working for Liberty though, I 

have always wanted to work on the ground with those fleeing conflict in some of the 

world‟s trouble spots. When I was younger I worked with refugees living in Uganda 

and found it massively rewarding. 


I pretty much pulled an all-nighter when trying to finalise Liberty‟s briefing on the 

Government‟s disastrous proposed cuts to legal aid. 


Londoners by Craig Taylor. The book tells the stories of ordinary people living and 

working in London and reminded me of all the things I love (and love to hate) about 

the city. 

19

Matthew Jury 

McCue & Partners LLP 

He undertook his law degree (LLB) at the University of Southampton and his 

postgraduate degree (LLM) at Trinity College Dublin and is licensed to practise as a 

solicitor as well as an attorney in New York. He is an expert in counter-terrorism 

litigation, domestic and international human rights law, and public international law. 

Matthew currently assists in the representation of hundreds of victims of terrorism 

worldwide in a number of groundbreaking civil prosecutions against the perpetrators, 

supporters and financiers of global terrorism. 

He has been involved in the representation of a number of individuals detained 

overseas in circumstances absent of due process and/or in breach of international 

standards of detention. While in the US, Matthew worked in a dual role as a lawyer 

and as an investigator and has particular expertise in the application of international 

law in the context of US state lethal injection protocols and the execution of the 

mentally ill. 


The human rights practitioners I have found to be most inspiring are those that I 

worked for and alongside during my time spent in the US assisting on Death Row 

appeals. It is a low-paid career that receives little to no positive recognition from the 

community in which these people live and practice. They do it only because it the 

right thing to do and it has to be done. These are the two most important reasons to 

choose a career in human rights. 



There was no one defining moment. I always knew that wanted a career grounded 

in some form of public service. This was reinforced by the fact that, during the 

course of my legal studies, commercial law held no interest for me. The combination 

of these two factors made my decision to follow a career in human rights an easy 

one. I had the qualifications and I felt that it was my responsibility to use them for 

the public benefit. 


rights work? 

Yes. I undertook a six month internship assisting on Death Row appeals under the 

administration of Reprieve at the Virgina Capital Representation Resource Center 

(VCRRC) in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. 


There have been a number of high points. My work directly contributing to the 

preservation of the lives of a number of Death Row inmates have included some of 

them. Here in the UK, the highest point for me was securing a judgment against the 

Real IRA for 1.6 million on behalf of the families of the victims of the bombing of 

Omagh, Northern Ireland, by the RIRA in August 1998. 


The execution of a number of Death Row inmates on whose cases I assisted. 

20


Traditional human rights mechanisms, such as the ECHR, are but one way to 

enforce human rights standards. I am interested in the use private justice via the 

civil and criminal courts as another means to enforce these rights. These are forums 

where I believe real change can be effected and I the government should not restrict 

our access to them. 


The right to life. There is nothing more important and it is from this that every 

other right flows. 


No. There are too many to choose from. 


I‟m doing it. 


Thankfully I have managed to avoid all nighters for a long time now. Most of our 

cases are slow burners and if I have to pull an all-nighter to meet a deadline then I 

am disappointed in myself for not having been more organised. 


A Pefect Spy by John le Carré 

21

Angela Patrick 

JUSTICE 


It‟s a close-call between the human rights defenders working on cases in 

countries where abuse is rife and their work is both life-saving and life 

endangering and anyone still working in a law centre or a citizens advice 

bureau. 

However, if you get a chance to see Albie Sachs speak, go. 



A thoroughly unhelpful career guidance computer once told me that I should 

be an “artist” or a “judge”. 

After deciding I wasn‟t going to be the next Tracey Emin, I thought that 

something practical with an income was a good idea. Law was the sensible 

choice. It seemed to have something to do with social justice and changing 

unfair “stuff”. A fair few years down the line, I‟m glad to know that it does 

(sometimes). 


rights work? 

No. I was hard-up and nervous about debt while studying, so I worked most 

summers and evenings. I tried to do paid work in the field, for example, 

doing research for solicitors working on human rights cases. However, there 

was also a fair share of waitressing, dry-cleaning kilts (a long story) and call 

centres. 

I regret doing no voluntary internships, which would have been far more 

interesting, rewarding and valuable to society, but I only took pro-bono and 

voluntary work once I had an income. The latest project I‟ve been working on 

is an International Bar Association programme on the rule of law and human 

rights for parliaments in developing countries. It‟s been an amazing 

opportunity to meet and work with human rights campaigners across the 

world and learn about challenges that we don‟t see in the UK. It has been an 

inspiring learning experience. 


Either helping persuade a particularly resistant Conservative member of the 

House of Lords that the Human Rights Act 1998 was a “good thing” he 

should champion OR convincing legal colleagues at the Ugandan Parliament 

that asking their Government to justify why legislation complies with their 

constitution and international human rights standards was a proper job for the 

legislative branch. 


Failing to persuade the same group of Ugandan parliamentary lawyers to 

recognise that the international human rights framework was key to the 

debate on their Anti-Homosexuality Bill… 

22


The politicisation of the debate on the protection of human rights in the UK 

under the Coalition Government – both at home and away – is both 

interesting and worrying. 


From someone who has always liked to talk too much, freedom of expression 

must be up there. Without it, for example, you can‟t take to the streets to 

complain that your neighbour has been wrongly arrested and savagely 

beaten for being a religion/colour/sexuality (delete as you like) that the 

majority object to. 


JUSTICE does an excellent job working on access to justice, the rule of law 

and human rights… 

On a global scale, Plan is currently running an inspirational campaign to keep 

girls in developing countries in education. 


I‟ve only been here for four months, but I think that my new role at JUSTICE 

has the perfect combination of public interest litigation and public policy work 

to out-match all of the other jobs out there. I feel very privileged to be part of 

our team. 

(I‟m not going to be turning my bed into an installation anytime soon…) 


I‟d love to say I‟m too organised to have ever done anything as silly as work 

all night, but that would be a lie. Working all night is bad for your health, 

unproductive and incompatible with a happy home life. 

Thankfully, the last time I saw the sunrise in front of my PC was a few years 

ago. I was juggling two projects for the JCHR which were time sensitive: 

producing draft reports on the Government‟s proposed reservations to the 

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and on the 

Coroners and Justice Bill (which dealt with restrictions to the National DNA 

Database, to address the judgment in Marper, reform of the Coronial system, 

and a host of other challenging procedural and substantive reforms to the 

criminal law). Both were subject to strict parliamentary timetables, both were 

important and there weren‟t enough hours in the day. 


For the law geeks (of which I am one), I am currently re-reading Lord 

Bingham‟s Rule of Law. For the rest of you, I have just finished Starlight by 

Stella Gibbons (who wrote Cold Comfort Farm), which, set in 50s post-war 

London, incorporates an amusing and unusual combination of pacifism and 

exorcism. 

23

Saadia Khan 

Bindmans LLP 

Saadia studied Economic and Social History at Liverpool University. She took a law 

conversation course and LPC at Nottingham Law School. Saadia joined Bindmans 

as a trainee in the Human Rights and Public Law department in 2006. She 

completed her training with the department and qualified in 2008. Saadia 

specialises in public law, and has a particular interest in discrimination and human 

rights claims in the public law field. In 2011 Saadia was awarded „Junior Lawyer of 

the Year‟ by the Law Society. 


Gareth Peirce of Birnberg Peirce. I respect her work and her lack of interest in 

media attention. I am also constantly in awe of immigration practitioners who 

regularly go well beyond the call of duty. 



When I was at Nottingham Law School I didn‟t know a single person who wasn‟t 

heading for a magic circle firm. There was no one defining moment, but I 

realised pretty soon that I wasn‟t like them. 


rights work? 

I didn‟t do any internships. But I‟ve always tried to do voluntary work in the 

community, for example, I volunteered as an appropriate adult while I was in 

Nottingham. 


Winning a case against the Legal Services Commission (who funds legal aid) in 

respect of the outcome of the family legal aid tender, which cut family legal aid 

providers by half and which would have had a devastating impact on family 

practitioners and their clients. There were no human rights arguments, but this 

case was essentially about access to justice for very vulnerable clients, including 

children in care proceedings and victims of domestic violence. 


Losing a case in the Court of Appeal which resulted in the slaughtering of a 

sacred bullock. 


Prisoner voting rights. 


That‟s a difficult one. But probably Article 2, because it is so important. 

24


I try to assist with Liberty‟s advice line. I also do some work with the Children‟s 

Rights Alliance England. 


To be a concert pianist. But I‟m not very good at the piano, so I suppose that I 

am lucky enough to say that I‟m doing it. 


During the case against the Legal Services Commission. It got to 8am and I had 

to lie down as I was seeing bright lights. 


The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz 

25

Sarah Smith 

The Law Society 

Sarah joined the human rights unit at the Law Society of England and Wales in 

2011. Prior to that, she completed an LLM in international human rights law, with a 

dissertation in the use of private military security companies in conflict zones. Sarah 

has worked on various pro bono human rights projects including running the 

International Action Team for the Law Society. 


I am inspired by lawyers such as Alec Muchadehama (Zimbabwe), Alirio Uribe 

Munoz (Colombia), Arnold Tsunga (Zimbabwe), Iyas Maleh (Syria), Edre Olalia 

(Philippines) and Mohammad Mostafaei (Iran). I was extremely honoured by meeting 

these lawyers at the Lawyers for Lawyers seminar in Amsterdam on the 

effectiveness of lawyers' solidarity work. 

These lawyers have courageously carried out their duties as lawyers, defending the 

human rights of others, in the face of intimidation, threats and physical violence. 

2. When did you decide to follow a career in human rights? Was there one defining 

moment? 

I was always very interested in human rights but it was when I was working on a 

community health project in Peru in 2004 that I decided I wanted to pursue a career 

in human rights. 


rights work? 

Yes I did a stint with the Metropolitan Police Authority as part of their Independent 

Custody Visiting Scheme this involved visiting detainees in custody and checking 

that they had been treated fairly upon arrest and in subsequent detention. 

I also carried out regular voluntary work in the human rights unit at the Law Society 

whilst taking the LLM. My role was managing a network of pro-bono lawyers and 

students, drafting & reviewing intervention letters, setting up & monitoring projects, 

liaising with volunteers/colleges & committees, preparing briefing papers and 

researching and applying International law. 


I worked on an amicus curiae brief filed in the US Supreme Court opposing the 

imposition of life sentences without the chance of parole for juveniles. 

I was key in galvanising international support for this rule of law issue and managed 

to persuade 19 bar associations around the globe to be co- signatories to the brief. 

The oral argument is scheduled for 19 March and I will be following the outcome 

very closely. 


I worked on an amicus curiae brief to the US court stating that excessive length of 

time on death row (33 years) amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. The 

submission was regarding Cuban citizen Manuel Valle who was convicted and 

sentenced to death for the murder of a police officer in Florida. Despite the 

dissenting judgment from Justice Breyer who described the justifications for 

26

execution as 'close to non-existent' the majority decision was to deny a further stay 

and the execution went ahead. 


I am particularly interested in the legal aid reforms specifically in relation to the effect 

they will have on victims of domestic violence. 


The right to life. 


I am on the steering group for the Colombia Caravana. The Colombia Caravana 

raise awareness of human rights issues in Colombia. They advise, protect and 

support lawyers, judges, individuals and organisations working in the Colombian 

human rights field. 

I am also an observer on the Solicitors International Human Rights group (SIHRG) 


My dream job would be working on human rights violations whilst based in South 

America. 


Luckily I have yet to do so – although probably shouldn‟t speak to soon! 


Tom Bingham – the rule of law 

27

Murray Wesson 

University of Leeds 

Murray completed his LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, before 

winning the KwaZulu-Natal Rhodes Scholarship which took him to the University of 

Oxford. At Oxford he read for a Bachelor of Civil Law as well as an MPhil. Murray 

went on to complete a DPhil on the equality and socio-economic rights jurisprudence 

of the South African Constitutional Court. Murray has been a lecturer at the 

University of Leeds since 2005, teaching jurisprudence, constitutional law and 

human rights. He is a visiting lecturer at the Central European University in 

Budapest, Hungary. 


I have particular regard for Justice Edwin Cameron of the South African 

Constitutional Court. Edwin turned down an academic career at Oxford to return to 

apartheid South Africa where he became a leading human rights lawyer while also 

managing to publish a series of outstanding academic articles on aspects of the 

South African legal system. Before being appointed to the Constitutional Court he 

was a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. He is openly gay and was also the 

first senior South African official to declare publicly that he is HIV positive – difficult in 

any context, but even more so in a country where the disease is stigmatised, and 

during a period when HIV/AIDS denialism had taken hold of the highest levels of the 

South African government. 



I had the good fortune to study law in South Africa during the mid 1990s when the 

country was emerging from apartheid and embracing a new democracy. The South 

African Constitution – which includes a Bill of Rights – was central to the transition 

and Constitutional Law was among the most exciting and intellectually stimulating 

courses that I studied at university. I‟ve never really lost my interest in constitutional 

and human rights law and I‟m fortunate to have a job that allows me to spend my 

time teaching, thinking and reading about the subject. 


rights work? 

I‟ve done work in the voluntary sector and for pro bono organisations but this wasn‟t 

particularly important in obtaining an academic position. Far more crucial were 

opportunities to teach at university level and securing publications in peer-reviewed 

journals. 


Academia has its frustrations but it does provide opportunities to travel to interesting 

places – and meet interesting people – for conferences and other purposes. In 

recent years some of the more interesting destinations I‟ve travelled to are Tallinn, 

Moscow and Mexico City. I‟m also a visiting lecturer at the Central European 

University in Budapest on the comparative human rights LLM program. This attracts 

students from around the world and hearing their diverse perspectives on human 

rights issues is a fascinating and rewarding experience. 

28


I regret not having qualified as a lawyer. I have a South African LLB, and 

postgraduate qualifications from Oxford, which means – somewhat bizarrely – that 

while I‟m in the UK I‟m entitled to teach LLB students but I‟m not entitled to apply for 

training contracts or pupillages (unless I complete the law conversion course). This 

is a source of frustration as I would ideally like to have explored more practical legal 

work. However, as the Rolling Stones advise, „you can‟t always get what you want.‟ 


I‟m currently interesting in socio-economic rights and the extent which 

constitutionalising these rights is compatible with democratic disagreement about 

distributive justice. This relates to the difficult question of how courts should enforce 

socio-economic rights once they‟re in constitutional form. More broadly, I‟m working 

on a bigger project on constitutional law and social justice. 


If human rights are interdependent and indivisible selecting a „favourite‟ human right 

seems rather artificial. However, I think the right not to be subjected to torture, 

inhuman and degrading treatment is particularly important. The notion that human 

beings have an irreducible worth – that cannot be violated in any circumstances – 

seems to sum up the very essence of what human rights are about. I‟d also mention 

the right to equality or non-discrimination. This right has obvious resonance in the 

South African context and is also, from a conceptual point of view, almost endlessly 

complex. 


I don‟t currently support of a human rights NGO but there are several whose work I 

follow. 


What I do now on double the salary. 


A few weeks ago marking exam scripts. With better organisation this would have 

been entirely avoidable. 


The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. It doesn‟t have much to do 

with law but is a fascinating account of the history of cancer, covering both its 

cultural significance and the development of treatment and scientific understanding. 

It might not sound like a promising topic but it‟s highly recommended. 

29

Felicity Williams 



Phil Shiner at Public Interest Lawyers, Nuala Mole at the AIRE Centre, Edward 

Fitzgerald QC at Doughty Street, Michael Mansfield QC at Tooks. 



Completing an LLM in International Law and Human Rights at Durham University - 

no one defining moment just realising that it provided real scope to protect 

vulnerable individuals against abuse of power. 


rights work? 

Yes I spent a summer as an intern at the AIRE Centre and completed a stage (work 

placement) in the European Commission in the US Unit. 


Working as junior counsel on the Al Jedda case and any time I represent someone 

released from prison. 


Seeing local authorities refusing to accept responsibility for the care of vulnerable 

children or adults. 


Yes free speech v property rights – I have recently represented one of the Occupy 

London protestors in the Court of Appeal and they have been an inspiration! 


From my perspective Article 8 as it has the most scope to expand to protect 

individual‟s broader welfare rights. 


Amnesty International 


The one I‟m doing! 


Yikes - I only make it to about 4am these days at best!!..... 


30

Alice in Wonderland - a bit of escapism is definitely necessary in this job! 

31

Al Mustakim 

No 3 Fleet Street 


Lord Bingham and Lady Hale 



During university I became a member of the civil liberities society 


rights work? 

No 


Winning against the government last year in the Supreme court in the case of 

Quila and Bibi 


Early years of practise! 


The case of Abu Qatardar and removing suspected terrorists 


Article 8 


Human rights foundation UK 


To be a judge of the supreme court 


Last month 


The pupil by Caro Fraser 

32

Human Rights Organisations 

Access to Justice Alliance 

The campaign for civil legal aid: the AJA fights for civil litigants to enjoy the same 

access to representation as criminal defendants by protecting, reviewing and 

publicising the need for such funding. Activities include demonstrations, debates, 

marches and government lobbying. 

www.accesstojusticealliance.org.uk 

Advice Services Alliance 

The umbrella body for independent advice services in the UK. Its members are 

national networks of voluntary organisations providing advice and help on the law. 

www.asauk.org.uk 

Advocates for International Development 

Lawyers with an international conscience. Poverty and inequality are the order of the 

day, and organised action is the response. Comprehensive network of ways to 

involve yourself, including campaigns for Millennium Development Goals. Focused 

towards practitioners, A4ID operates through organised work groups. 

www.a4id.org 

AIRE Centre (Advice on Individual Rights in Europe) 

Advises individuals on the punch that European Human Rights law can pack. Their 

support spans the micro (case by case guidance, provided you aren‟t trying to 

skewer the Little Guy) to the macro (expert materials for those organising 

conferences etc). 

www.airecentre.org 

Amicus 

Works on death penalty cases in the US. Offers internship opportunities as well as 

case-work volunteer positions and publishes Amicus Journal, covering death penalty 

issues worldwide. 

www.amicus-alj.org 

Amnesty UK 

The old favourite. Justice, freedom, fairness and truth. Universal values. Often 

quoted, often given short shrift in the real world. Amnesty organise truly international 

33

campaigns championing human rights wherever they are trampled upon. Current 

causes include abolishing the death penalty, ending internet repression, the China 

situation and violence against women worldwide. Extensive volunteering 

opportunities. 

www.amnesty.org.uk 

Bail for Immigration Detainees 

This charity adopts a two-prong approach to protect individuals detained as asylum 

seekers. First, campaigning in the political sphere to amend human rights provisions 

for detainees and requiring more robust protection mechanisms. Secondly, recruiting 

volunteers to handle detainees‟ applications to end their detention. Volunteers 

recruited in London, Oxford and the South East. 

www.biduk.org.uk 

Bar Human Rights Committee 

Network for human rights-concerned barristers, organising legal research, advocacy 

training and publicity in Africa, America, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Russia. 

Particular focus on protection of the rule of law and the people upholding it. 

http://www.barhumanrights.org.uk 

Bar Pro Bono Unit 

Barristers have social consciences too. They established an organisation to prove it. 

Volunteer a minimum of three days of time and expertise per year and bridge the 

gaping gulf between private funding and the legal aid purse. Short registration 

process, then an apparently unlimited licence to make law work for people, by 

working for free. 

http://www.barprobono.org.uk/ 

British Institute of Human Rights 

BIHR seek to bring human rights to life by producing and shaping human rights 

tools, public policy and practices that empower people to improve their own lives and 

the lives of others. They focus on working with the voluntary and third sectors, as 

well as lobbying government, running research projects and promoting human rights 

awareness. BIHR offer many internship and volunteering opportunities. 

www.birhr.org.uk 

British Irish Rights Watch 

34

BIRW aims to monitor, support and publicise the people and groups affected by 

conflict in Ireland. No affiliations with politics, religion or community. Activities include 

seminars, publications, ad hoc consultation for lawyers, third party interventions and 

attending public inquiries. Formidable body of work, recognised via the Beacon Prize 

for Northern Ireland 2007. 

http://www.birw.org/ 

Campaign Against Criminalising Communities 

Opposing laws based upon a pretext of counter-terrorism, campaigning for such 

laws to be repealed and defending the right to dissent. 

www.campacc.org.uk 

Campaign for Freedom of Information 

The rubber stamp of secrecy is the enemy, statutory right is the weapon and 

sustained campaigning is the bread and butter of this group. Sign up for email 

updates and prove that millions of voices are louder than singular action. 

www.cfoi.org.uk 

Centre for Capital Punishment Studies 

Project based at the University of Westminster. Chiefly aimed at researching the 

death penalty. Based on the notion that statistics speak louder than assertion, CCPS 

aims to co-ordinate NGOs, civil society and the state through research and 

publication. Attractive internship programme to places including Jamaica, Malawi 

and Uganda. 

www.wmin.ac.uk/law/ 

Child Poverty Action Group 

Does what it says on the tin; a major force for social and economic justice in the UK. 

For lawyers, it is a major publisher of leading reference books, particularly on welfare 

rights, and it provides both telephone advice and training courses to welfare rights 

advisors. 

www.cpag.org.uk 

Coalition for the International Criminal Court 

Network of NGOs supporting the ICC, via a Universal Ratification Campaign and 

general work to keep constituent states informed and alive to the workings of the 

Court. Internships available in Summer and Autumn in New York and The Hague. 

35

www.iccnow.org 

Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA) 

Interesting, varied and up-to-date lectures offered in the Temple in London. 

Worthwhile speakers, usually free attendance and no need to be a fully fledged 

lawyer to participate. Advance registration required for some events, but turning up 

early is usually the best guarantee. 

www.adminlaw.org.uk 

1 Crown Office Row's Human Rights Update website 

Barristers' chambers 1 Crown Office Row runs a website providing details of 

developments in human rights law, and articles on topical matters. 

www.1cor.com/humanrights 

Death Penalty Project 

Campaigns focus upon the Caribbean and Africa with palpable results: 500 lives 

saved since 1992. Two pronged approach to legal intervention, via helping individual 

prisoners and strategic litigation on the public law stage. Plus the research, 

information dissemination and publication. 

www.deathpenaltyproject.org 

Discrimination Law Association 

Membership available to anyone who cares about preventing discrimination. 

Activities concentrate on conferences, publications. Particularly useful „Responses‟ 

section setting out the DLA position on legislative instruments impacting on 

discrimination law. 

www.discriminationlaw.org.uk 

Doughty Street Chambers Human Rights Bulletin 

A periodic publication summarising important UK and European human rights cases. 

Subscribe at - www.doughtystreet.co.uk/members/join/ 

Employment Lawyers Association 

Extensive roster of events with comprehensive topics without the usual Londoncentric 

locations. Essential for employment law practitioners. Membership heftily 

discounted for golden-hearted people working in the voluntary sector. 

www.elaweb.org.uk 

36

Equality and Diversity Forum 

Networking organisation bringing together previously disparate groups. Core issues 

include age, disability, gender, race, religious and sexual orientation discrimination, 

all set against a broader human rights backdrop. Consistently active with e-bulletins 

and frequent online news of previous and future events. Formidable body of 

publications. Notables include the long term Human Rights and Justice Seminars at 

London Metropolitan University. 

www.edf.org.uk 

Equality and Human Rights Commission 

Ensures the Human Rights Act couples bark with bite. Where once the Equal 

Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability 

Rights Commission paved the way for human rights monitoring in the UK, the EHRC 

now treads. Aimed at ensuring protection and publication for individuals‟ right to 

participate fully and equally, this non-departmental government body is responsible 

for its own public funding but politically independent. 

www.equalityhumanrights.com 

European Criminal Bar Association 

Aimed at monitoring the European Union influence on national criminal justice 

matters, the ECBA encourages defence lawyers to contribute, share information and 

make public submissions on prospective legislation. Current projects involve the 

European Arrest Warrant, Cross Border Financial Crime and the death penalty in 

China. 

www.ecba.org/cms 

Free Representation Unit 

FRU - touchstone for the aspiring law student. Undertake the training course, grasp 

employment or social security law and help litigants (who would otherwise be flying 

solo) navigate the system. Personal support from qualified case workers. Hugely 

rewarding. 

www.freerepresentationunit.org.uk 

Global Rights 

Based at a grass roots level of local activism via field offices in Asia, Africa, Latin 

America, Europe and the United States, Global Rights includes volunteers as staff, 

fellows and interns. 

37

www.globalrights.org/site 

Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers 

Monthly lectures on diverse and on-the-pulse topics, delivered by in-the-know 

practitioners, plus a great publication, Socialist Lawyer. 

www.haldane.org/ 

Housing Law Practitioners Association 

Heavily involved in responding to legislative proposals for housing law, the social 

justice aspect of housing needs no drum roll. Essential for practitioners representing 

homeless and vulnerable tenants, HLPA facilitates information sharing between 

members in addition to campaigning. 

www.hlpa.org.uk/ 

Howard League for Penal Reform 

Current campaigns include „Community Sentences Cut Crime‟, „Real Work in Prison‟ 

and the obvious „Prison Overcrowding‟. Independent and pro-active, the Howard 

League offers one internship each year and has extensive support for students 

interested in establishing a society at their university come September. 

www.howardleague.org/ 

Human Rights Lawyers Association 

Excellent, constant stream of lectures on contemporary human rights issues. 

Bursary scheme for students seeking funding of related placements and helpful 

vacancies links to fellow organisations. Events are free or heavily subsidised for 

members, students are welcome and interaction is encouraged. Free student 

membership. 

www.hrla.org.uk/ 

Human Rights Watch 

Defending human rights on a country-by-country basis, the sheer breadth of the 

organisation‟s influence is awe-inspiring. Extensive employment and internship 

opportunities for the human rights devotee. 

www.hrw.org/ 

Immigration Law Practitioners Association 

38

Dedicated to co-ordinating immigration law specialists through training, a robust 

body of publications and political updates of Government briefings. Boasts a list of 

immigration related job vacancies for those wanting to jump from the volunteering to 

the professional boat. 

www.ilpa.org.uk 

Innocence Network UK 

Students helping prisoners overturn wrongful convictions. 

www.innocencenetwork.org.uk 

INQUEST 

Provides support and advice to people concerned about contentious deaths and 

navigating the inquest system. Targeted both towards lawyers and bereaved 

families. Tri-annual in house magazine supplements individual campaigns. 

www.inquest.org.uk 

INTERIGHTS - the International Centre for the Legal Protection of 

Human Rights 

Strategic litigation – focusing upon areas of human rights law (on a global stage) 

where there is most potential for development or protection. This work is bolstered 

by publishing and disseminating legal information to anyone in need. Amazingly 

comprehensive news review, covering hoards of global human rights cases. 

www.interights.org 

International Commission of Jurists 

Sixty eminent jurists represent different legal systems of the globe, dedicated to 

advancing human rights via the rule of law. Prides itself on impartiality and objectivity 

and has a strong international slant (five regional projects). Unfunded internships 

programme with rolling deadline. 

www.icj.org 

International Federation of Human Rights (Fédération Internationale des 

ligues des Droits de l'Homme) 

Multi-lingual website, advocating four statutory priorities: assisting victims of human 

rights abuses, mobilising member states participation, supporting local NGOs and 

raising awareness. A notable thematic priority is prioritising human rights in the fight 

against terrorism. 

39

www.fidh.org 

International Lawyers Project 

Aims to link willing skills of solicitors and barrister and the huge need for pro bono 

human rights advice and representation. Operates via a centralised database onto 

which interested individuals sign up, then await a request for their help (reasonable 

expenses are reimbursed). Dual international and local emphasis. 

www.internationallawyersproject.org 

Joint Council for the Welfare of Refugees 

Aims to combat racism and discrimination in asylum and immigration cases by 

providing support and advice to practitioners with Legal Service Commission 

contracts. Does not offer representation directly to applicants. Publishes reasoned 

responses to legislative initiatives and organises training courses and one-off 

seminars. 

www.jcwi.org.uk 

JUSTICE 

Possibly the most lawyerly of the UK's campaigning human rights organisations. A 

law reform-motivated group focusing on criminal justice matters, privacy, asylum and 

discrimination. Aims to see that the Human Rights Act is worth more than the paper 

its written on. Get involved via an annual intern programme, ad hoc volunteering or 

full-time employment. 

www.justice.org.uk 

Law Centres Federation 

Central support body for all pro bono Law Centres, offering representation to 

society‟s most disadvantaged. Offers support and advice to those brave enough to 

attempt opening a centre in their own community. Affiliated to the LawWorks project, 

now run by the Solicitors Pro Bono Group – see below. 

www.lawcentres.org.uk 

Lawworks 

Solicitors working for free. Yes, really. Includes support for those wanting to 

establish a pro bono society within their law school (and compete for a spot in the 

prestigious Law School Pro Bono Awards prize-giving), training courses, and 

40

volunteering (for practitioners and students). Regional and London projects. 

www.lawworks.org.uk 

Legal Action Group 

Never lagging behind, promoting equal access to justice to those who need it most. 

Extensive publications and a very wide ambit (crime, housing, mental health and 

more), an excellent journal and frequent specialist legal updates. Register your 

interest for free updates, or join for £30 per year. 

www.lag.org.uk 

Legalternatives 

Looking for a legal internship? Want it to exactly fit your interests and abilities? 

Search the Legalternatives database, gather a wealth of organisation specific 

information and read feedback from people who have personal first hand experience 

of the options listed. 

www.legalternatives.co.uk 

Liberty 

Including the Liberty Guide to Human Rights (www.yourrights.org.uk). Omnipresent, 

tirelessly campaigning organisation aiming to keep civil liberties a practical aspect of 

modern living, chiefly by influencing government. Student membership from just £1 

per month. 

http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/ 

Medical Justice 

Seeks basic medical rights for detainees and failed asylum seekers in the UK; 

publishes a worrying list of case studies in which rights have been denied to 

individuals. Research projects allow the Foundation to make submissions to the UN. 

The Habeas Corpus Project aims to challenge the legality of indefinite detention 

through applications to the High Court, fertile grounds for reform. 

www.medicaljustice.org.uk 

Mental Disability Advocacy Centre 

Working on the human rights of children and adults with actual or perceived 

intellectual or psycho-social disabilities. A European Central Asian focus. 

Volunteering opportunities in its Budapest office. 

41

www.mdac.info/ 

Mental Health Lawyers Association 

www.mhla.co.uk/ 

National Critical Lawyers Group 

www.nclg.org.uk/ 

NO2ID 

This single-issue group aims to curb government‟s pre-occupation with recording 

and monitoring its citizens‟ movements and activities. Sign up for free updates, make 

the No 2 ID pledge and hope no more liberties are taken. 

www.nclg.org.uk/ 

Oxford Pro Bono Publico 

More than just a proof reading organisation: the OPBP supports those preparing 

submission documents for a wide variety of purposes. Volunteers must be affiliated 

with the University of Oxford and can expect to work closely with high profile NGOs 

and be exposed to world class academics. 

www.law.ox.ac.uk/opbp 

Prison Reform Trust 

Aims to ensure prisons are just, humane and effective. Provides critical comment on 

prospective prison reform and criminal justice issues. Become a friend of Prison 

Reform Trust to receive their Magazine prisonReport and enjoy discounts on 

specialist publications. 

www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk 

Prisoners' Advice Service 

Provides practical advice (free and confidential) to prisoners in England and Wales, 

aiming to ensure they are treated according to Prison Regulations. Direct 

opportunities to volunteer as an advisor or support worker. 

www.prisonersadvice.org.uk/ 

Privacy International 

Fights to protect the fragile right to privacy, usually the first casualty in the 

surveillance state. Based in London, with offices in Washington DC. Campaigns 

include border security, anti-terrorism measures, policy laundering and identity 

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cards. 

www.privacyinternational.org/ 

Public Law Project 

PLP aims to increase public authority accountability by providing legal advice directly 

to people affected. Opportunities for specialist practitioners to volunteer on the 

telephone advice line and students in administrative or legal research capacities. 

www.publiclawproject.org.uk/ 

Refugee Council 

One stop shop for refugees‟ needs – through four regional offices, the Council offers 

representation and advice to those arriving in the UK with no support network and 

facing legal proceedings in order to stay. Over 300 volunteers cover everything from 

football coaching to serving lunch and teaching English. 

www.refugeecouncil.org.uk 

Refugee Legal Centre 

A national organisation and charity offering legal advice and representation to 

asylum seekers and refugees. 

www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk/ 

Release 

Drugs, the law and human rights: Release aims to guide those affected by drug use 

through the mire. Offers both a Legal helpline and Legal Outreach project in London. 

The innovative Bust Card reminding drug users of their legal rights. 

www.release.org.uk/ 

Reprieve 

Internationally campaigning for prisoners denied justice by various governments 

through litigation investigation and public education. Excellently regarded US 

Internships allows law students to work directly on death row projects. Wealth of 

experience with Guantanamo Bay detainees. 

www.reprieve.org.uk/ 

Rethinking Crime and Punishment 

Prison has never been a hotter agenda topic – this strategic initiative of the Esmée 

Fairbairn Foundation aims to implement findings about how effective our punishment 

43

system is. Follow the Project‟s progress by reading reports online. 

www.rethinking.org.uk/ 

Rights International 

Fights for protection of the rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human 

Rights. Campaign methods include a Brief Bank, with downloadable model human 

rights appeal templates, research guide and on going publications programme. 

Boasts the Frank C Newham Internship programme and Law School consortium, 

allowing educational establishments to be directly involved. 

www.rightsinternational.org/ 

Rights of Women 

Maintains a popular telephone helpline advising the public and publishes information 

sheets on every legal issue impacting on women‟s lives specifically. Sports the two 

hallmarks of a support charity: free and confidential, and is currently recruiting legally 

qualified volunteers. 

www.rightsofwomen.org.uk 

Solicitors' International Human Rights Group 

Supporting human rights protections by herding solicitors into a hive of voluntary 

activity. A massive twelve separate working groups, including the death penalty and 

human trafficking. Online forum for members and free entry to compelling monthly 

speaker event, covering up-to-the-minute legal issues. 

http://sites.google.com/a/sihrg.org/solicitors-international-human-rights-group/Home 

Social Security Law Practitioners Association 

Organises meetings and other happenings for lawyers and specialist advisers 

working in the social security law field. 

www.sslpa.org.uk/ 

Statewatch 

Keeps an eye on the State whilst it keeps an eye on us. Dedicated to maintaining 

civil liberties and democratic standards in Europe, by campaigning and publicity. 

Services include a database of 24,000 articles whilst current projects relate to CIA 

rendition, border wars and asylum crimes. 

www.statewatch.org/ 

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Stonewall 

Well known organisation that aims to ensure equal treatment for lesbian and gay 

people, by raising awareness, campaigning against/for legal reform and providing 

Diversity Champions to over 300 organisations. And counting. 

www.stonewall.org.uk/ 

Unlock Democracy 

What once was Charter 88, now different label on the same constitutionally 

concerned tin. Aims to put the people power back into democracy, through 

campaigning for a written constitution, elected House of Lords and Citizens‟ 

Convention (direct democracy). 

www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/ 

Young Legal Aid Lawyers 

But you don't have to be young - just committed to legal aid and either a student or 

of no more than ten years' qualification or call. Membership's free. 

www.younglegalaidlawyers.org 

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