Application Deadline for International Human Rights Clinic Course

Attention upper year JD students and LLM/SJD students at U of T Law!

Re: Applications for the International Human Rights Clinic Course: International Human Rights Program 

The Faculty of Law is pleased to announce the introduction of a new course for the upcoming fall term—the International Human Rights Clinic Course (LAW548H1F). This course is open to all 2L, 3L, and LLM/SJD students. Given the course’s unique clinical component, you are required to apply directly to the International Human Rights Program (IHRP) for consideration. Applications for the fall 2023 term are due Thursday, July 13, 2023, by 10:00AM (for JD students) and Sunday, July 16, 2023, by 11:59PM (for LLM/SJD students). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after these deadlines, should any spots remain available.

The International Human Rights Clinic Course is an accredited course (4 credits; 3 hours) that will provide students with an opportunity to not only expand their international human rights legal knowledge, but to work alongside national and international partners to advance real-life projects on pressing international human rights matters. Projects may include working alongside counsel to advance a lawsuit, formulating potential litigation pursuits or advocacy strategies, drafting legal or advocacy submissions to various domestic and international human rights institutions, fact-finding missions etc. IHRP pursuits will likely address matters involving corporate and state accountability, climate justice, and Indigenous rights, amongst others. This clinic course is a rare opportunity for students to gain international human rights work experience, while learning from experts in the field. Projects may include domestic or international travel.

To register for this course, you must email a 1–2 page statement of interest* to ihrp.law@utoronto.ca by July 13th at 10:00 AM (for JD students) and Sunday July 16th, 2023 at 11:59PM (for LLM/SJD students).

* Please indicate the following:

(a) previous upper-year courses in international law or human rights law or experience that you consider equivalent;

(b) indicators of academic, analytical, and research and writing ability, which may include grades in related classes;

(c) any experience in human rights or international issues;

(d) any experience with lawyering or advocacy;

(e) any languages that you can speak/write/read, including at what level (basic, conversational, intermediate, advanced);

(f) why you wish to enroll in the Clinic and whether you can prioritize commitments arising from the clinic; and

(g) a list of any other Clinics you plan on enrolling in for 2023-24.

The Records Office will add the clinic to the student's course selection once participation is confirmed by the clinic professor.

Note that your application will be kept on file should openings arise over the coming months.