Written by Application Deadline: February 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM (WAT).
Applications are now open for the 2026 Digital Rights Litigation Surgery (DRLS) Program. The Digicivic Initiative invites applications for the Digital Rights Litigation Surgery (DRLS), a professional development and capacity-building programme designed to strengthen legal responses to digital rights violations in Nigeria.
The Digital Rights Litigation Surgery is a practice-oriented programme that equips lawyers with the legal, strategic, and advocacy skills required to advance digital rights litigation, civic space protection, freedom of expression, data protection, and technology-related human rights. Through hands-on learning, case analysis, and post-training engagement, the programme seeks to build a pool of lawyers committed to public-interest and pro bono digital rights work.
Primary Purpose:
- To strengthen the capacity of lawyers to engage in strategic digital rights litigation and legal advocacy in Nigeria.
- To build practical skills in handling cases related to freedom of expression, civic space, data protection, and technology-enabled rights violations.
- To expand a network of pro bono lawyers supporting digital rights protection and public-interest lawyering.
Geographic Focus: Nigeria
Target Audience: The programme is open to legal practitioners with an interest in digital rights, public-interest litigation, technology law, or civic space protection.
Qualifications
Applicants must be qualified legal practitioners called to the Nigerian Bar.
- Demonstrated interest or experience in digital rights, human rights, technology law, media law, data protection, or public-interest litigation.
- Strong commitment to pro bono legal work and collaborative engagement with civil society and affected communities.
Participants’ Responsibilities
- Participants will be expected to actively engage in training sessions, case-based discussions, and assigned learning activities.
- Participants will commit time to post-training pro bono digital rights litigation or legal support, in collaboration with Digicivic Initiative.
- Senior lawyers may be required to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, or supervision support to early-stage participants.
Programme Benefits
- Practical training on digital rights litigation, strategic case development, and legal advocacy.
- Exposure to real-world digital rights cases and emerging legal challenges in Nigeria.
- Opportunities to engage with experienced digital rights practitioners, litigators, and civil society actors.
- Inclusion in Digicivic Initiative’s growing network of digital rights lawyers and public-interest advocates.
- Post-training opportunities for continued engagement in digital rights litigation and advocacy initiatives.
Outcome
- Improved capacity of lawyers to litigate and respond to digital rights violations.
- Strengthened pro bono legal support for digital rights and civic space protection in Nigeria.
- Expanded collaboration between lawyers and civil society organisations on public-interest digital rights cases.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Digital Rights Litigation Surgery (DRLS) Program