The sintering behaviour of monolithic zirconium diboride (ZrB$_{2 }$) and ZrB$_{2 }$-based composite ZrB$_{2 }$-ZrC were studied using a pressureless sintering technique. The specimens were prepared using commercially available ZrB$_{2 }$ and ZrC powder which were pressed and subjected to pressureless sintering. The effects of lanthanum and neodymium used as sintering aids in the sintering processes were investigated. The sintered specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The ZrB$_{2 }$ specimen prepared using and addition of 1 wt% lanthanum and pressurelessly sintered at $2200^{circ}C$ showed the maximum relative density of 96%. The ZrB$_{2 }$-ZrC composite specimen without the addition of any sintering aids exhibits the maximum sintered density but contains significantly detectable amount of secondary phase.