OPBP Project Work

OPBP provides pro bono legal research, particularly in the fields of international and comparative law, to individuals and organisations who are themselves working on a pro bono basis. In particular, we prepare or assist in the preparation of research briefs, expert opinions, amicus curiae briefs, policy submissions, and reports.

Since its inception, OPBP has produced more than 50 projects for around 45 project partners across a huge range of different jurisdictions.

We have worked on issues ranging from the reform of India’s sexual harassment laws to the use of secret evidence in judicial proceedings, from the scope of freedom of information laws in Hungary to women’s inheritance rights in Botswana, and from the regulation of food advertising in the European Union to the protection of children’s rights in Brazil.

Through our project work, we ensure that the skills and expertise of the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Law and its diverse graduate student body have a constant and meaningful impact all over the world.

Below is a chronological list of some of our projects with links to the relevant documents.

2024

• Mapping the Interactions of Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Prohibition of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment*
• Criminal Disclosure Regime in the Digital Age

2023

• The Right to Early Childhood Development
• ‘Affirmative Consent’ in the Law of Sexual Offences in Commonwealth Jurisdictions
• Sedition: The Protection of the Constitution and the Rights to Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly*

2022

• Prosecutorial Assistance as a Mitigating Factor for Drug Offences*
• Relationship between Sanctions and Reparations under International Law*
• The Right to Early Childhood Development
• Disability Rights in Latin America: Protecting the Right to Work*
• Data Protection under International Law*

2021

• Regulation of Digital Media and Intermediaries
• Legal Foundations of Anti-corruption Agencies*
• Criminal Liability for Conduct Resulting in Harm under Criminal Law*
• Prohibition of Arbitrary Internal Displacement in National Laws and Policies

2020

• Independence Referenda under International Law*
• The Law on Policing Peaceful Protests
• ‘Best Interests of the Child’ Assessment in Immigration Detention Proceedings
• Judicial Independence and Military Courts*
• Determining Bias: A Survey of the Law in the United Kingdom
• Trade Union Rights and Freedom from a Gender Perspective: Submission to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

2019

• Death Penalty for ‘Non-Triggerman’-Homicide Offences
• Protecting the Anonymity of Child Victims: Constitutionality of Section 154(3) of the South African Criminal Procedure Act, 1977
• Tort/ Delictual and Constitutional Damages: Arising from the death of a child as a result of the breach by the state of its constitutional obligations*
• Inclusion of “Sexual Orientation” and “Gender Identity”: Meaning of “Sex” within Title VII, Civil Rights Act, 1964 

2018

• Freedom of Speech and Association in South Africa: Constitutionality of Section 1(1) of the Intimidation Act 72 of 1982
• Domestic Implementation of Article 19 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
• Gender Dysphoria Treatment and Consent by Children and Young People
• Religious Exemptions for the Solemnisation of Same Sex Union: Constitutionality of Section 6 of the Civil Union Act, 2006 in South Africa

2017

• The Right to Effective Counsel and Guilty Pleas in Criminal Courts: A Comparative Report
• Submissions to Joint Committee on Human Rights on Presumed Derogation from the ECHR in Future Overseas Armed Conflicts
• Joint Employers and Agency Workers: A Comparative Report Prepared for the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain
• Secret Ballot Voting by the National Assembly in Motions of No Confidence: A Comparative Report Prepared for the Advancement of the South African Constitution
• The Employment Status of Uber Drivers: A Comparative Report
• Restraints of Legal Practice In Class Action Settlement: A Comparative Report

2016

• A Report on Reparations and Remedies for Victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

2015

• The Protection of the Human Rights of Non-Nationals Under a Reformed UK Constitution: Lessons from International and Comparative Jurisprudence
• Zedekia Gaingob and Two Others v The State: A Report on Life Imprisonment prepared for the Supreme Court of Namibia

2014

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation during Large-Scale Construction Projects in Brazil
• A Report to Facilitate the Working of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry
• Executive Powers of the President under Sierra Leonean Constitution: Report to the Sierra Leone Constitutional Review Committee Concerning Executive Appointments and Commissions
• Comparative Hate Crime Research Report
• Remedies and Procedures on the Right of Anyone Deprived of His or Her Liberty by Arrest or Detention to Bring Proceedings Before a Court: a Comparative and Analytical Review of State Practice
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Liability of States in Damages for Rights-Violating Conduct by the Judiciary in the Performance of Judicial Function: Comparative Research for the Judge-President of Nambia

2013

• International Refugee Law in Tanzania: International refugee and human rights law in application to refugee policy in Tanzania
• Obligations of Independent Schools in South Africa
• Competition Law in Georgia
• Biometric Identification and Privacy: A Comparative Report
• The Reform of India’s Sexual Violence Laws: A Report Prepared for the Justice Verma Committee on the Reform of Indian Sexual Violence Laws
• Freedom of Information in Relation to Private Companies: A Comparative Report

2012

• Submissions on the Commonwealth’s Equality Law
• Equality, Non Discrimination and Primogenture in Botswana
• Class Actions in Europe and the United States
• Comparative Hate Speech Law – Memorandum and Annex
• Supplementary Comparative Research on Secret Evidence: A closer examination of the procedure and practice in the United States: A Report for the Joint Committee on Human Rights

2011

• Comparative Survey of Procedures for Public Participation in Lawmaking Process: Report for National Campaign for People’s Right to Information
• Submissions to the Committee on Human Resource Development, Rajya Sabha, India
• Reconciling Domestic Superior Courts with the ECHR and ECtHR: A Comparative Perspective
• The Use of Secret Evidence in Judicial Proceedings: A Comparative Survey
• The Marketing and Advertising of Food in the European Union – Regulatory Measures, Remedies for Consumers and an Analysis of Best Practices

2010

• Submission to the Legal Resources Centre on the Right to Education in India and Europe

2009

• Corporate Social Responsibility – Soft Law Developments in the European Union

2008

• Obstacles to Justice and Redress for Victims of Corporate Human Rights Abuse
• Justice in Burma
• Legal Opinion on the UK Legislation on Human Trafficking

2006

• Legal Opinion on UK Legislation on Human Trafficking

2005

• Amendment to the Law on Criminal Procedure of Bosnia-Herzegovin

*Some projects may not be available at the moment due to confidentiality and non-disclosure requirements. Should you require any information about the project, please get in touch with us at opbp@law.ox.ac.uk.