The Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA) is a forum for those involved in the law and legal professions to discuss human rights issues. Our principal objective is to protect and promote human rights in the United Kingdom.

Join the HRLA Junior Lawyers Committee

The Junior Lawyers Committee (JLC) is the junior lawyers division of the HRLA. We are law students, graduates and junior lawyers committed to promoting human rights and social justice. Through our core projects, we provide opportunities for all early career professionals and students who are interested in pursuing a career in human rights law or in promoting human rights protection and awareness.

The JLC’s core projects are:

• Careers Day is our annual flagship event aimed at supporting aspiring human rights lawyers and practitioners. Keynote speakers in previous years have included Jennifer MacLeod, Jason Pobjoy KC and Amanda Weston KC.

• The Judicial Review Competition is our mooting competition, where competitors seek permission for judicial review on a human rights law topic. The final typically takes place in the Royal Courts of Justice.

• The Lord Kerr Competition is our essay competition, established in memory of the late Supreme Court Justice Lord Kerr, on a human rights law topic.

Expected commitment

JLC members are expected to:

• Contribute to all of our core projects, taking on a key role in at least one;

• Attend at least 80% of our committee meetings, which take place monthly;

• Be organised and work collaboratively with the rest of the JLC; and

• Show an active interest in and passion for human rights.

By joining the JLC, you will:

• Have the opportunity to network and build relationships with senior human rights practitioners, including judges, solicitors, barristers, activists and academics;

• Collaborate with other JLC members and the Executive Committee on exciting human rights events, publications and projects;

• Gain skills and professional experiences to support you in developing your human rights career;

• Learn more about human rights issues and consolidate your knowledge of human rights law;

• Join a friendly and committed group of like-minded junior human rights lawyers!

We look forward to receiving your application! 

Please note that all information provided will be handled in accordance with the HRLA privacy policy, available on our website. Information provided in your application form will be shared with members of the current Junior Lawyers Committee and Executive Committee as necessary to carry out the recruitment process. If you are appointed to the Junior Lawyers Committee, your name will be shared with the membership of the HRLA and will appear on the HRLA’s website in connection with your membership of the Junior Lawyers Committee. An example of the latter can be found here. In addition, you will be asked to provide a photograph of yourself and a short biography for publication on the HRLA website.