The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice

The Vance Center strengthens democratic transition by engaging lawyers across borders to advance rule of law and equal access to justice in countries undertaking legal and institutional reform following autocratic rule or civil conflict.

The Vance Center is constituted by practicing lawyers committed to providing and promoting pro bono legal service to support civil society and social justice. Based at the New York City Bar Association, the Center collaborates with law firms, NGO’s, law schools and lawyers’ organizations throughout the world.

The Vance Center premises its engagement on the unique role of lawyers as agents of good governance and the public interest: independent intermediaries implementing the procedures and principles that constitute rule of law and advocating for the equality and rights of individuals.

The Vance Center employs the approach to international justice developed and practiced by Cyrus R. Vance: collaborative, pragmatic conflict resolution based on ironclad adherence to honest dealing and basic human rights.