International Human Rights and Justice
Defending dignity and pursuing justice — for you.
For Law Firms and
Human Rights Organisations
Our Clients
Arendt Chambers provides legal services on behalf of law firms and human rights organisations with respect to significant human rights concerns, including:
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Serious deprivations of fundamental rights or freedoms (for example, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and fair trial rights).
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Egregious forms of discrimination (for example, on the basis of ethnicity, gender, or disability).
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Arbitrary detention, including by state forces or by private individuals (for example, within institutions for persons with disabilities).
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Breaches of fair trial rights.
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Incidents of enforced disappearance.
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Incidents of sexual or gender-based violence.
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Incidents of torture.
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Violations of the rights to truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence.
At Arendt Chambers, our commitment to rightsholders, integrity, and accountability is non-negotiable. We do not represent corporations under any circumstances. Our work with governments is limited to rare, strictly-defined situations where there are no active allegations of human rights violations. In such exceptional cases, we provide legal advice only — not full representation — and only when doing so aligns with our ethical obligations and respects the rights and interests of rightsholders.
Our Services
We assist law firms and human rights organisations in their submissions before international human rights mechanisms and international, regional, and domestic tribunals. Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Drafting submissions to international human rights and international justice mechanisms — for example, amicus briefs, shadow reports, and submissions to United Nations treaty bodies or special rapporteurs.
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Legal research and analysis on substantive and procedural international criminal law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, transitional law, and universal jurisdiction, among others.
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Investigations and desk research on historical and ongoing human rights abuses, within Canada and internationally.
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Trial monitoring for compliance with international fair trial standards, documenting procedural irregularities, and preparing detailed legal and human rights assessments.
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Survivor support for victims of human rights abuses, with a particular focus on children and persons with developmental, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities.
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International human rights law training for organisations — for example, training on substantive law or the mechanisms and processes available to complainants.
Our Fees
Depending on the nature of the project and your organisation's preference, our Principal works on a flat-fee or an hourly rate. In all circumstances, a retainer is required.
We reserve the right to reduce our fees in exceptional circumstances, and we are particularly willing to do so for organisations from middle- and low-income countries working to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.
Please note that, prior to payment of any fees, we are required under the Law Society of British Columbia to verify your identity.