Pro Bono

In 2021, we were named International Pro Bono Barristers of the Year, recognising our commitment to justice and human rights. We are intimately familiar with international courts and tribunals in the Hague, the United Nations, the European Court of Human Rights and elsewhere. We provide legal advice and representation in all matters of international law and human rights.

We have seen an enormous increase in the last few years in the number of individuals who have been subject to some of the worst international criminal law and human rights violations, stranded without any real representation or assistance. We know that from time to time, individuals, some of whom have found themselves in the direst of circumstances, will not have easy access to lawyers.

We know that it is essential that we commit the time and energy to helping people, whatever their means. International Human Rights Advisors endeavour to provide as much help as we can to pro bono clients who may be struggling to progress their cases.

Case Study

Ryan Cornelius is a British national who has been arbitrarily detained in prison in Dubai since 2008. Ryan has been the victim of the most egregious human rights breaches imaginable and will almost certainly die in prison unless we can help secure his release. We have been working closely with his family and have asked the UN and the UK, and the US governments for assistance in his campaign for justice.

In particular, we made submissions to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention which subsequently found that the UAE government had “failed to establish a legal basis for the arrest and detention of Mr. Cornelius and that his detention is arbitrary”. Further, International Human Rights Advisors appealed to the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office to impose Magnitsky Sanctions on those responsible for Ryan’s mistreatment. The application was supported by a cross-party group of Peers and MPs, and activist Bill Browder.