Public International Law and Human Rights—Honours Programme Clinic (PIL Clinical Programme)

In the dynamic and rapidly growing field of public international law and human rights, the Public International Law and Human Rights – Honours Programme Clinic (PIL Clinical Programme) provides pro bono legal services to a wide variety of clients, including international courts and institutions, human rights and investigative bodies, states, and civil society organizations. The purpose of the PIL Clinical Programme is to prepare students for future careers in public international law by providing them with the necessary skills training and development to succeed. 

The PIL Clinical Programme is run through the Law School’s Honour’s Programme. Students in the PIL masters can apply for participation. Selection takes place in late September. Students work under the supervision of Dr. Brianne McGonigle Leyh, as well as other faculty and experts in the field. Students taking part in the PIL Clinical Programme are expected to undertake extensive legal research, prepare legal memoranda addressing specific topics of interest to the client/societal partner and meet tight deadlines. Students will gain first-hand knowledge of the institutions, acquire in-depth understanding of the particular field of law, follow important jurisprudential developments and develop a range of valuable professional skills pertaining to legal research, analysis, drafting, communication and time management. Special attention is also given to ethical issues and professional responsibility. Although challenging, the Programme provides students with a support system for reflecting upon and evaluating their learning and practical experiences. 

Quotes from students

“The clinic project was the highlight of the honours programme for me, though it was hard work. It was very motivating to be working for a real client, particularly someone so experienced and knowledgeable”, says Stephanie Triefus who participated in the clinic in the academic year 2018-2019.

It was very motivating to be working for a real client, particularly someone so experienced and knowledgeable.

Orestis Piperoglou, who was also involved in the PIL clinic during 2018-1019 says: "I was able to develop my multi-tasking, time-management, organizational and team-working skills, work more effectively under pressing deadlines, provide high-quality results in a short period of time, manage conflicts and resolve issues which arise during the team-working process."

It provided me with insight on the practical, besides the mere theoretical, aspect of the legal profession.

"Moreover, during the project I acquired valuable knowledge on the international human rights legal framework and gained insight into current legal issues, such as privacy and non-discrimination. In addition, due to the linkage of technological subjects with legal thinking and reasoning, I was able to further my creative and out-of-the-box thinking. Finally, the project provided me with a unique opportunity to draft a high – quality report for a client, thus providing me with insight on the practical, besides the mere theoretical, aspect of the legal profession."