The Friends of the Earth Rights & Justice Centre works to strengthen environmental justice through providing legal advice, representation and training to communities and individuals, including conducting public interest litigation. FoE are committed to working with the communities most affected by environmental problems. Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to the work of the Centre, and there are various ways to get involved.

1.      Advice Line

The Rights & Justice Centre runs a free advice line on environmental law. The advice line is staffed by volunteers on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and Thursdays from 11am to 2pm, supervised by lawyers from the Rights & Justice Centre. Volunteering on the advice line is particularly suitable for lawyers with environmental or planning law experience. In addition to contributing their skills to assist members of the public, volunteers hone their ability to think on their feet and communicate effectively. To register interest, email legal@foe.co.uk.

2.      Internship programme

FoE have a rolling programme of voluntary legal internships in their London office; please see the attached information sheet. An internship in the Rights & Justice Centre is an excellent secondment opportunity for trainees and newly-qualified lawyers. As FoE are a small team, the internship involves high levels of responsibility and client contact. Their public law litigation is often cutting edge, and their community outreach work provides an unusual opportunity to develop communication skills, confidence and project management. FoE have designed the scheme to be flexible to make it accessible to a diverse range of applicants. For more information, click here.

3.      Other projects/research work

Other pro bono opportunities at the Centre include taking on discrete pieces of legal research, project work and assisting communities with, for example, planning enquiries. FoE would be interested to hear any other suggestions you have for cooperation, and are happy to discuss any aspect of these opportunities or their work with you. Please feel free to contact them on 020 7566 1682 or legal@foe.co.uk.

More information about Friends of the Earth is available at http://www.foe.co.uk/.