UWA and me
Since finishing degrees in Law and Arts at UWA I initially worked in Perth to complete my articles training as a solicitor. Over the last 18 years I have been working as an international human rights lawyer in London, across Europe, Commonwealth countries and most recently in Hong Kong China.
During my studies of law and French in my Arts degree at UWA, I was also fortunate to go on an exchange between the Faculty of Law at UWA and Faculty of Law at the University of Aix-Marseille III. This provided me with an excellent opportunity to further my knowledge of human rights law, which helped me with my future career.
Protecting human rights
My greatest passion is working to promote and protect the human rights of people around the world whether it is civil and political rights to freedom of expression, freedom from slavery and violence, or the right to non discrimination of women, different racial groups, and LGBTI people.
I wish to make a difference by applying my legal and advocacy skills to influence Governments to improve legislation and policies related to human rights issues.
My career has taken me all over the world
The most interesting aspect of my career has been being able to work on diverse issues of human rights in many parts of the world. I’m hoping to continue my legal career in human rights whether its working for National Human Rights institutions, Non-Government Organisations or advising the private sector.
Words of wisdom
Make the most of your time as a student by participating in all aspects of student social and cultural life. And discover what you feel passionate about: it will help you to decide what career path to take in the future!
About Peter
Peter has been working as an international human rights lawyer for 18 years in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Commonwealth countries, and most recently in Hong Kong. Since 2012, Peter has been Legal Counsel at the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) leading the EOC’s advocacy work such as the Discrimination Law Review project to modernise existing discrimination legislation relating to sex, disability, race and family status. He has also been instrumental in the EOC’s legal work promoting equality for LGBTI people relating to LGBTI anti-discrimination legislation; rights of same sex couples; and gender recognition legislation for transgender people.
Previously for 11 years Peter worked in London in a number of human rights roles including at Amnesty International UK; the Commission for Racial Equality as Principal Litigation Officer and Head of European and International Legal Policy from 2005 to 2008; the Equality and Human Rights Commission as a Senior Lawyer and Director of Legal Policy from 2008 to 2012; and at the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2012 as a human rights consultant on Commonwealth projects.
Peter's recent work