The charity assists those facing capital trial and punishment around the world, particularly in the United States, by providing proper legal representation and raising awareness of potential abuses of defendants' rights.
The charity's objectives are: "To assist in the provision of legal representation for those awaiting capital trial and punishment in the US, or any other country, and to raise awareness of potential abuses of defendants’ rights.
"[1] Amicus focuses on a number of areas of activity: Internships, Training and Legal Education, Casework, Events, Membership and a Journal.
As capital defenders face severe funding constraints, Amicus interns provide vital support and carry out work that simply would not be done without them.
These focus on drafting amicus curiae briefs, motions and international legal applications and training for conducting research on behalf of defence attorneys.
Amicus collaborates with the Middle Temple Library to ensure that the public has access to US constitutional and capital punishment criminal texts.
The jurisdiction of the Privy Council in London means that they have argued many of the issues that relate to the death penalty in the US.
Both regular and student memberships are available on their website and, in return, members receive the following: The Amicus Journal is the leading reporter on the significant issues affecting capital punishment worldwide.
The journal includes articles written by academics and practitioners on current legal issues and on the death penalty, news from around the world, and reportage from Amicus interns in the US.