Volunteer Law & Human Rights Projects, gain work experience on an internship placement overseas

Gain Work Experience on a Volunteer Law & Human Rights Internship Abroad

Law & Human Rights voluntary work placements with Projects Abroad give you the opportunity to change legislation or make a difference to other people’s lives. You can become part of a vital resource, providing legal services to businesses, community organisations or individuals.

If you’re interested in a career in the notoriously competitive legal profession, a voluntary placement with a well-respected law firm overseas could be a valuable addition to your CV.

We have legal placements in China, Ghana, Mongolia, South Africa and Togo.

We offer a wide variety of placements suitable for law graduates, law professionals wishing to take a career break, law students (during holidays) and people who have completed a law conversion course

In some destinations we also have some placements for pre-university students thinking of joining the legal profession and people with no formal law experience who have good communication skills and a desire to work in the field of human rights.

These overseas voluntary placements with Projects Abroad enable you to gain a unique insight into day-to-day legal practice, and the rules of law, while working in well-respected legal organisations in Africa or Asia.

Please let us know if you have any preferences so we can match you to the most appropriate placement.

Working abroad on a voluntary law internship

“I guess I expected an Africa that you see on the TV. Once you get there you find everyone is as individual as in the west, but so much more open to ideas, and you begin to see your own way of seeing things as narrow. Once you have an open mind, everything fits into place.”
Anne-Marie Wortley, Law Volunteer in Ghana

We offer such varied opportunities on our legal placements that each experience is truly unique. Before you embark on one of our voluntary law internships you should know that you will be entering a professional working environment. You’ll have plenty of deadlines and responsibilities. Based with a well-respected legal organisation, you’ll be expected to represent the firm in the same way that any other employee would.

Typically your work will involve several elements. Certainly we will find a placement that suits your specific areas of legal interest.

You could be attending court sessions regularly, and you may be asked to monitor and report on proceedings. You’ll probably be involved in all kinds of law-related activities, such as undertaking research, report-writing, visiting rural clients, giving presentations in schools or other community groups, or even making good use of the local media!

“In Shanghai there was a real sense of comradeship, when a new volunteer arrived we would make sure one of us was there to met him/her at the flat and then we would make sure we made them feel at ease. That is one of the best things about doing a Projects Abroad project, the chance to forge long and lasting friendships.”
Tom Henry, Law Volunteer in China

Although some of the projects are only open to people with experience of law, even if you are just a willing volunteer on one of the Ghanaian or South African programmes you’ll do much more than make the tea. All of our legal placements are demanding, and must be taken seriously. You’re likely to be working normal office hours and you will be welcomed as a valued part of the team.

Experiences on a Projects Abroad Law Placement

We will take into account your specific areas of legal interest when we find you a placement. In China, volunteers have worked in banking law, mergers, acquisitions, corporate intellectual property, taxation and insolvency.

In Ghana we offer business and commercial law, plus a huge – and expanding – human rights programme. Your work might involve educating sex workers or taxi drivers about their rights, monitoring an election procedure or looking at police reform.

Although your experiences will be unique, sometimes there’s nothing better than to read how other people have benefited from their voluntary work placement in law overseas, so here are some more testimonials:

“China is an exciting and amazing place. The people, the culture, everything. Projects Abroad is the only way to do what I have done. I really appreciated the support of your team in Shanghai.”
Juliet Raine, Law Volunteer in China

“My accommodation was brilliant - much better than expected, and Shanghai was as brilliant. Projects Abroad was excellent for me. You sorted out any problems, proved to be flexible and understanding and brought the volunteers together. I would definitely recommend Projects Abroad!

“The time I had in China really opened my mind to other cultures and other ways of life. But it was not all about this, it was also about making friends and having a completely awesome time!”
Tom Henry, Law Volunteer in China

“I was asked to write a comparative essay on a topic of Ghanaian law and how it contrasted with Scottish Law. Mr Laryea (my Ghanaian supervisor) found this really interesting. I also helped them in a practical ‘hands-on’ way as well, for day to day tasks….I went with very little expectations, and was still blown away at how different it was! I’ll never be able to explain it, you have to do it for yourself.”
Kirsty Gourlay, Law Volunteer in Ghana

“… At the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative - I was truly made to feel that being a law student from England was of real value … I got involved in looking into Human Rights abuses… interviewing witnesses and documenting their testimonies, and researching material for the state of prison conditions in Ghana. I was also able to attend Human Rights conferences; among the attendees being the Presidential advisor on HIV/AIDS and met parliamentarians to discuss the state of family-planning services across Ghana.

“Projects Abroad responded to the interests I had explained pre-departure and placed me with an organisation that truly furthered my interests in Human Rights law.

“The day-to-day experiences of being in Accra and the work I was doing certainly encouraged me to become more adventurous than I would have imagined. By my final week I was keen to explore more of Ghana and made a three-day trip to the north of the country to Tamale, and then on-to Mole National Park (to see the elephants!). I would advise any volunteer to make the trip.

“My advice to any new volunteer would be - Go for at least three months - five weeks was just not enough!
Danica Mullarkey, Human Rights Volunteer in Ghana

Read full testimonials from others who have joined overseas voluntary work placements with Projects Abroad.