Welcome to the Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA).
It is an honour to serve as Chair of the HRLA, an organisation that brings together lawyers, academics, students, and others dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights. For over two decades, the HRLA has been a forum for discussion, education, and collaboration on human rights issues in the UK. Today, we are a thriving and inclusive community of over 2,000 members, including solicitors, barristers, judges, academics, and students.
At a time when human rights are increasingly scrutinised and challenged, the HRLA’s role has never been more important. We are proud to host distinguished speakers from across the legal profession, judiciary, and academia, fostering vital conversations on human rights law and practice.
A key part of our mission is supporting the next generation of human rights lawyers. Our Junior Lawyers Committee (JLC) plays a crucial role in engaging early-career lawyers through events such as the annual careers day, the Lord Kerr essay competition, and the judicial review mooting competition. And our Bursary Scheme helps students and aspiring lawyers gain invaluable experience with human rights organisations, providing access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
If you are not yet a member, I encourage you to join us. If you are already involved, please help us grow by spreading the word. We also welcome partnerships with law firms, chambers, and other organisations through corporate memberships and sponsorship of our bursary scheme.
I would love to hear from individuals and organisations who share our commitment to human rights, whether it is the primary focus of your work or not. The HRLA thrives on collaboration, and I am always happy to explore ways to work together.
I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and working with you to advance human rights.
Shoaib M. Khan
Chair, Human Rights Lawyers Association