Introduction on the rights of torture survivors and States obligations to refrain from and prevent torture. International law requires States to investigate allegations of torture and to punish those responsible. It also requires that victims of acts of torture obtain reparation and have an enforceable remedy to fair and adequate compensation, restitution of their rights and as full rehabilitation as possible. The Istanbul Protocol is a manual on how to make investigations and documentations of torture effective in order to punish those responsible, to afford adequate reparation to the victims and more generally, to prevent future acts of torture. This guide is aimed at lawyers working with torture survivors. It describes the various international standards contained in the Istanbul Protocol, details international jurisprudence supporting such standards and outlines practical ways for lawyers to seek to have these standards recognised and implemented at the national level. It provides in- 7 formation for lawyers on a) how to challenge governments when investigations of torture are ineffective, b) how to amass the necessary evidence to assist in investigations and/ or when bringing allegations of torture to the attention of the competent officials and c) provides a general overview of the international legal standards relevant to combating and preventing torture and assisting victims to seek remedies and reparation. Lawyers are key interlocutors for survivors of torture seeking justice and other forms of reparation. Equally, they may play a vital role in persuading governments to comply with their international obligations to refrain from acts of torture and to implement preventative measures. If lawyers are familiar with the applicable international standards, they may seek to interpret and apply domestic law in light of these standards, and may cite such standards in their legal argument, pleadings and complaints.