Career Break Internships

Human Rights and Law

You don’t have to be a lawyer to know that human rights and proper legal representation are denied many people in the less economically developed world. Volunteers working on these issues are, therefore, incredibly important, as they provide free, informed help to some of the world’s most legally disadvantaged communities.

Why a Human Rights placement?

A large part of human rights work is vital education. You’ll be working with at risk groups, such as children, women, sex workers and prisoners, teaching them about their rights. You’ll also be running workshops on specific issues, such as housing and medical rights, and governmental obligations.

Many of the countries gap companies work in have poor human rights records and difficult colonial histories. You’ll be working with not-for-profit organisations to heal past problems through, for example, lobbying the government to change legislation, monitoring election procedures, or overseeing reform in the armed forces.

Why a Law placement?

Pro bono cases are some of the most important work a lawyer can take on. When you arrive, you’ll be placed with a law firm who deal with the types of cases you’re interested or experienced in. This could include property and land law, criminal law, business law and legal aid cases.

You might go to court, and monitor/report proceedings, or get involved in research, visiting clients, and publicity/speaking to the press.

Who can do a law placement?

Law graduates, law and human rights professionals who want to take a career break, law students (during uni holidays), law conversion course students, school leavers, who are considering a legal career and anyone interested in human rights work.