The Alliance cosigns Joint Statement on the unwarranted search of legal offices and the continued systematic persecution of lawyers in occupied Crimea – Alliance for Lawyers at Risk CIO
Call for Nominations: Sir Henry Brooke Award 2027
The Alliance for Lawyers at Risk is pleased to invite nominations for the Sir Henry Brooke Award 2027, which honours legal practitioners and human rights defenders who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law, often in the face of great adversity and at significant personal risk.
About the Award
Named in memory of Sir Henry Brooke – founder of the Alliance and a tireless advocate for justice and equality – the award recognises individuals whose courage and commitment have advanced human rights in challenging environments.
Past recipients include Ruth López, Virginia Laparra, Adil José Meléndez Marquez, Donald Hernandez and Dina Meza, along with many others whose work has had a profound impact.
Please see the Sir Henry Brooke Award 2027 Brochure for further details:
Selection Process
The winner will be selected by an independent panel comprising Professor Christine Chinkin (chair), Lord Dyson, Sir Patrick Elias, Maya Lester KC and Lizzette Robleto de Howarth. The committee will assess nominations based on the following criteria:
- The nature of the nominee’s work in defending fundamental freedoms and promoting human rights and the rule of law.
- The impact of their work on marginalised or vulnerable groups.
- How they have overcome challenges in pursuing their human rights work.
- The broader impact of their efforts, locally or globally.
- How well the nominee embodies Sir Henry Brooke’s values: justice, equality, and human rights.
There are no restrictions on the nationality or country of origin of nominees.
How to Submit a Nomination
If you know someone making a meaningful difference for the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law, we would be grateful to receive your nomination.
To submit a nomination:
- Review the full details in the Sir Henry Brooke Award 2027 Brochure
- Complete the Nomination Form
- Submit your nomination to admin@lawyersatrisk.org by 31 October 2026
Award Ceremony
The 2027 Award will be presented at a ceremony in London in March 2027. Further details will be shared closer to the date.
Thank you for helping us to recognise and support those who risk so much to defend human rights and the rule of law. For any questions, please get in touch at admin@lawyersatrisk.org.
Supporting human rights defenders
Helping with the training of local human rights lawyers and human rights defenders.Learn More
Intervening in cases
Preparation of submissions to governments and amicus briefs.Learn More
Raising awareness
Voicing concern in cases where human rights lawyers and human rights defenders are in danger.Learn More
The Alliance
The Alliance for Lawyers at Risk is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, comprising around 100 individuals and institutions drawn from the legal community in the United Kingdom.
The ability to bring human rights claims in court against governments or corporate interests is normally taken for granted in the UK. In many parts of the world, however, lawyers representing individuals subjected to injustice face significant, even life-threatening risks. Lawyers in some countries regularly receive threats to themselves or their families, are physically attacked, abducted or even assassinated simply for doing their jobs.
The Alliance supports human rights lawyers and human rights defenders around the world who are at risk because of the work that they do.
Our membership is listed here.
A message from the President of the Alliance:
When I agreed to take on the Chairmanship of the Alliance , I was struck by the calibre and breadth of its membership. The Alliance represents the best of the legal community – a powerful group of pre-eminent members of the judiciary, the Bar, the solicitors’ profession, academics, legal journalists and other esteemed members of the legal community. It has an important role to play in identifying and challenging threats to lawyers and human rights defenders in those countries where the rule of law is under threat, and in supporting our professional colleagues around the world who are at risk because of the work that they do. The Alliance is has no political affiliations and does not rely on any government or special interest group for funding. It is not afraid to challenge those whose threats and actions against human rights lawyers and human rights defenders might otherwise pass unnoticed. Relying almost entirely on the contribution of time and effort from our members and volunteers, and support from other groups in the pro bono sector, the Alliance is the voice that speaks for lawyers and human rights defenders who are at risk.
Dominic Grieve KC
Support
The Alliance and associated organisations would welcome support from lawyers and students who would like to contribute to our work. At present, we would particularly welcome support from those who speak Spanish. If you would like to get involved, please contact us. Contact us