Mallesons' Human Rights Law Group (HRLG) operates in each of our Australian centres. The HRLG was established as a response to the increased prominence of human rights issues in our pro bono casework, and consequently in the day-to-day practice of many of our lawyers.

The principal purpose of the HRLG is to help establish and maintain our expertise in the field of human rights law, and to ensure that Mallesons can advise and guide the activities of our clients when human rights issues arise. The HRLG aims to generally promote and raise awareness of human rights and human rights law issues, as well as providing Mallesons' staff with the opportunity to be actively involved in human rights law case work and research.

With the introduction of the Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT) and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), human rights law has become increasingly relevant to Mallesons’ major and pro bono clients. The HRLG is continuing to develop the firm’s expertise in relation to these pieces of legislation, and as a consequence in relation to developments in international human rights law jurisprudence generally.

In Sydney, the work of the HRLG is underpinned by its partnerships with the NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre (DDLC), a community legal centre providing access to justice for persons with disabilities, and the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS). As part of these partnerships, the HRLG provides the DDLC and RACS with ongoing legal advice and other administrative support.

In Melbourne, the HRLG assisted with the establishment of the Human Rights Law Resource Centre (HRLRC), and is significantly involved in the HRLRC's continuing work through the provision of research and drafting assistance in relation to numerous human rights law projects and through regular contributions to the HRLRC's monthly bulletin.

Part of the work of the HRLG has included a recent submission to the National Human Rights Consultation. View submission.

The latest Human Rights Law Group Annual Report introduces the HRLG, describes its role within and outside the firm and summarises some of its recent work.