Our free legal assistance is available year-round and offered at two levels:

1. At the UNFCCC Negotiations

LRI supports delegates from developing countries and civil society observers during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiation sessions. We assist by:

  • Interpreting legal text
  • Drafting interventions or submissions
  • Assessing legal options
  • Procuring legal advice from LRI’s expert network in response to delegates’ queries

We’ve supported

70+
developing countries since 2018

We’ve supported

40+
civil society organisations since 2018

We’ve responded to

490+
queries on the international negotiations since 2018

2. At the National Level

LRI assists countries in implementing their climate plans, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and the Paris Agreement more broadly. This includes:

  • Supporting the development of climate law
  • Reviewing and analysing draft or existing national climate legislation, including framework laws and carbon market regulations
  • Researching comparative legal approaches to support domestic decision-making

How We Work

Legal Experts

LRI’s staff lawyers frame queries and coordinate a global pro bono network of over 165 legal experts. Staff oversee the drafting, revision, and delivery of legal advice.

Volunteers

Outside negotiation sessions, LRI enlists volunteers to assist with legal research.

Liaison Officers

Occasionally, LRI invites selected members of its volunteer network to attend negotiation sessions, providing support in advancing the organisation’s mission.

Situation Room

During negotiation sessions, LRI opens its “Situation Room” where volunteer lawyers—under the supervision of a senior lawyer—conduct legal research, track developments, and help produce live negotiation updates. The Situation Room is based in LRI’s offices.
Case Study

Harnessing Expertise

Mika Morissette, Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Global

Beginning as a volunteer and later coordinating the Situation Room, Mika Morissette provided legal insights that directly supported international climate negotiations. She then joined LRI as liaison officer at negotiation sessions, engaging with complex legal issues in real time, alongside negotiators and a global network of legal experts.

Later, Mika’s work extended to advising a state government on the design and implementation of a carbon markets framework. She focused on integrating emissions trading systems with voluntary carbon credit schemes, and during the Bonn negotiations, she helped the delegation navigate procedural objections around carbon market governance.

The collaboration enriched Mika’s understanding of climate law across both international and domestic levels, and her legal guidance contributed to more informed and effective policy design.

Watch Mika on YouTube

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