ROLE UK (Rule of Law Expertise)
The Rule of Law Expertise Programme (ROLE UK)
The Rule of Law Expertise Programme (ROLE UK) is a unique collaboration in the UK between the Government, the judiciary and lawyers providing pro bono expertise and international pro bono organisations.
The ROLE UK Programme Consortium includes Advocates for International Development; the Bar Human Rights Committee; the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law); the Council of the Inns of Court; International Senior Lawyers Project UK; i-Probono; the Judicial Office; and the Slynn Foundation.
What ROLE UK does
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), ROLE UK aims to improve rule of law environments in developing countries by matching judicial and legal expertise, both private and public sector, with demand in developing countries to improve the policies, organisations and practices of legal and judicial systems.
To facilitate this operation, ROLE UK involves legal sector experts (judges, solicitors, barristers, legislative draftsmen, magistrates), and Government legal experts. Together, they offer specialist information, advice, mentoring and training to improve the policies, capacity and practices underpinning the rule of law in developing countries.
ROLE UK also shares best practice to improve co-ordination of the UK’s international pro bono legal sector, and continuously seeks to innovate and determine which types of technical legal assistance can help improve the rule of law.
How ROLE UK helps
ROLE UK supports applications to assist partners in articulating their needs and developing appropriate local interventions.
ROLE UK matches demand with UK legal expertise from government agencies, the judiciary, pro bono offers from lawyers and the pro bono sector.
ROLE UK provides support and funding for in-country rule of law assignments, including: locating experts, travel and accommodation costs, logistical and technical support to organise assignments.
ROLE UK develops good practice on rule of law capacity building programmes.
For more information: roleuk@a4id.org
ROLE UK is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.