Lawyers Without Borders UK Limited

Charity Number: 1136400

Lawyers Without Borders UK Limited (LWOB UK) is a UK-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing the rule of law and promoting human rights internationally through pro bono legal work and capacity building. It functions as the single UK affiliate of the global Lawyers Without Borders organisation and holds registered charity status since June 2010.

History and Structure

LWOB UK was incorporated on 27 November 2003 as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, headquartered in London. It became an officially recognized UK charity in 2010 and serves as the international pro bono arm of Lawyers Without Borders, the parent organisation founded in 2000 in Connecticut, USA by attorney Christina M. Storm. LWOB UK focuses on engaging UK-based lawyers and law firms to participate in rule of law initiatives globally[2][3][5].

Mission and Activities

The organisation's mission is to promote the sound administration of justice and proper administration of the law for public benefit, particularly through advancing human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations conventions. LWOB UK's work supports judicial sector capacity building in developing nations and post-conflict regions by training judges and lawyers in trial advocacy and various legal fields including criminal law, trafficking in persons, inheritance and succession, and gender-based and domestic violence cases.

Key program areas include:

• Intense week-long training sessions using mock scenarios to build legal skills and knowledge
• Neutral trial observation and evaluation
• Technical assistance such as legal research, drafting, and the development of manuals and roadmaps
• Community outreach focused on access to justice, civic participation, and rights-based education, often in partnership with local NGOs and in support of micro-enterprise development

These efforts span numerous countries across Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond, including Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Paraguay, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Argentina, and the United States[2][4].

Governance and Funding

As a registered charity, LWOB UK is governed by a board of trustees. The organisation does not rely on a traditional employee structure but collaborates extensively with volunteer lawyers from leading law firms and in-house legal departments who support the mission on a pro bono basis. Funding primarily comes from third-party donations and in-kind support[4][2].

Impact

By mobilising legal professionals to provide expertise and training in countries with emerging or fragile legal systems, Lawyers Without Borders UK contributes to strengthening judicial integrity, promoting human rights, and ensuring access to justice worldwide. Its UK base also serves as a hub for coordinating global rule of law initiatives and engaging the British legal community in international pro bono work[2][5].

[1] https://www.lawyerswithoutborders.org [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyers_Without_Borders [3] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04978436 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4050053/full-print [5] https://blacktiemagazine.com/wealth_management_2008/Lawyers_without_Borders.htm