How to become a human rights lawyer

Human rights lawyers play important roles in advocating for the rights of people in the UK and globally.

Human rights law spans many areas of legislation, including criminal, family, immigration, asylum and refugee law, discrimination and data protection. As a human rights lawyer in practice, you will ensure that clients are aware of their rights. You may represent your clients in court, or in negotiations with lawyers representing opposing parties. You may also work with non-governmental organisations, advising and advocating for interest groups.

To become a human rights lawyer, you will need to qualify as a lawyer (solicitor or barrister). The usual route in is through a degree followed by a specialist training course and a period of training.

Undergraduate degrees – a bachelor’s degree in law (Bachelor of Legislative Law - LLB) is the usual route into a career as a lawyer. If you have an alternative degree, you can complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) instead. An LLB Law degree that offers human rights modules will give you an obvious head start on your career as a human rights lawyer, and most LLBs cover human rights in some form. The routes to becoming a solicitor has changed in the UK recently – we recommend you visit the website of the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) for their up to date guidance and information.

Postgraduate studies – to support your career progression and professional development, you might choose to complete a masters degree in law (Master of Legislative Law – LLM) that addresses human rights law. This will allow you to develop specialist knowledge in areas of human rights law and enhances prospects of working in, for example, the field of international human rights law and practice.

Qualification as a solicitor or barrister – following completion of an appropriate law degree, you’ll complete the follow up route to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.

• To become a solicitor, you will need to follow one of the routes to qualifications as governed by the SRA. As noted above, the path to becoming a solicitor in the UK has changed recently – we recommend you visit the website of the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) for their up to date guidance and information
• To become a barrister, you’ll first need to join an Inns of Court, which provides support to students and qualified barristers. The Inns of Court also provide the additional training required for barristers. Once you have your law degree and you are a member of an Inns of Court, the next step is to complete a Bar Training Course, usually over the course of one year, followed by a period of pupillage in chambers. At the end of this period, you’ll be called to the bar and will be able to work as a barrister

What does a human rights lawyer do?

As a human rights lawyer, your primary role is likely to be representing clients in court or in negotiations with other parties. Usually, your clients will be bringing cases against public authorities or private organisations that represent them, as only these bodies are explicitly controlled by the Human Rights Act. Some human rights lawyers work for the government ensuring that new legislation and individual government department’s policies are aligned with relevant human rights conventions, or to represent the government in cases brought against them.

The work spans all areas of UK and international law, and you will find yourself involved in cases relating to, for example, criminal law, immigration appeals, discrimination, industrial tribunals, prisoners’ rights, freedom of speech and family law. After you have established yourself in the role, you might choose to specialise in one specific area.

The UK’s Human Rights Act covers subjects such as torture, slavery, fair trials, discrimination, education, property, free elections and freedoms of religion, expression, assembly. This provides options to specialise, with opportunities in private practice, large law firms, human rights charities, international organisations and government. Brexit may also lead to the replacement of the Human Rights Act in the UK, with a proposed Bill of Rights.

At the highest level as a human rights lawyer, you might represent clients at the European Court of Human Rights, where cases might be taken if for example, right to appeal has been refused or if a UK court has made a declaration of incompatibility between a UK law and the human rights convention.

Given the breadth of the role, there is no typical day for a human rights lawyer, but some of the day-to-day tasks could include:

• Advising clients and making sure they are aware of their rights
• Interviewing involved parties and documenting evidence
• Writing legal and court documents to support cases
• Researching legislation and previous cases
• Negotiating with lawyers representing other parties and  calculating claims for compensation
• Following up on any agreements or court instructions to ensure compliance
• Representing clients in court
• Advising public bodies or companies on their compliance with the Human Rights Act
• Keeping up to date with new legislation likely to affect human rights

What are the typical working hours for a human rights lawyer?

During the busiest periods you might need to work 12-hour days, and weekend work may be occasionally required.

Lawyers in large international legal firms tend to work unsocial, long hours on a regular basis. In government roles, hours tend to be more regulated, but working unsociable hours might still be required.