IBA Legal Internship Programme (London)

• After you have selected the team you wish to apply for, it is important that you thoroughly research the work of that team and convey your passion for that specific internship in your application and interview.
• The application process involves sending a CV/resume, cover letter, application form and writing sample (no longer than five pages long) to internprogramme@int-bar.org before the closing date.
• As a large proportion of the work you will undertake during the internship will involve writing reports, letters, or assisting in the preparation of academic articles, we ask for a writing sample as part of the application process. This is useful for us to see how you structure a piece of written work and how you form and support an argument.
• We aim to inform you if you have been successful and invite you to interview approximately 4-6 weeks after the closing date.

How to apply/Application form

Intake dates and deadlines

• The London office has intakes 4 times a year and usually the internship is for 3 months. The length of the internship may be adjusted depending on the positions available during a given intake.
• Applications close 5-6 months before the start date.
• If successful, you will receive an invite for an interview with the team you have applied for (usually via Skype or Zoom).

For more information, closing dates and to download the application forms click here

In 1995, the IBA established its Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) under the Honorary Presidency of Nelson Mandela, to fulfil its objectives to promote and protect human rights and the independence of the legal profession under a just rule of law.

In order to advance our objectives, the IBAHRI undertakes a variety of projects to build capacity, lobby for change and highlight issues of international concern to the public, the media and the legal community. Our core activities include training for lawyers and judges; capacity building with bar associations and law societies; undertaking high-level fact-finding missions; and conducting trial observations. The IBAHRI also works on a number of thematic programmes.

IBAHRI Home

Human Rights Institute Internship

IBAHRI interns are invaluable to the work of the Institute. Typical tasks undertaken by interns include:

• researching and drafting country background reports for IBAHRI missions;
• conducting legal research in thematic areas;
• drafting intervention letters;
• researching and drafting project briefing notes;
• trial monitoring;
• media monitoring and press summaries;
• researching the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession; and
• supporting IBAHRI events.

Skills and experience required:

• advanced studies in international human rights and/or humanitarian law; excellent legal research and analysis skills;
• experience of legal writing and drafting;
• strong interpersonal oral and written skills;
• familiarity with internet- based research;

The Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) is the department within the International Bar Association that undertakes research and develops and implements innovative strategies, projects and initiatives that are relevant to business and the rule of law, the global legal profession and the broader global community.

LPRU interns are supervised by staff lawyers with international experience in a range of commercial areas and with a strong interest in issues affecting the legal profession.

LPRU Home

Typical projects undertaken by interns include:

• a. Conducting legal research, drafting reports and working papers in variety of legal ethics and compliance, anti-corruption, social media and the legal profession, business and human rights, digital Identity, gender in the legal profession, modern slavery and mental wellbeing of the legal profession;
• Assisting in conducting legal surveys and analysing survey results;
• Updating information for websites;
• Contributing to IBA and external publications;
• Supporting the planning and development of new international legal projects;
• Supporting the expansion of strategic global initiatives such as the Women Business Lawyers' Initiative.

Skills and experience required:

• Advanced studies in law; (preferably touching on relevant subjects relating to our current projects)
• excellent research, writing and analysis skills;
• strong interpersonal oral and written skills;
• familiarity with computer based legal research

The interns to the IBA’s Executive Director are invaluable to the work of the IBA. Typical tasks undertaken by interns include:

• conducting legal research in thematic areas;
• researching and drafting background briefing memos on topical subjects and legal developments related to IHL and ICL;
• researching and preparing case notes and conducting remote trial monitoring;
• conducting media monitoring and writing media briefings;
• researching the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession;
• conducting legal research that contributes to IBA events and international conferences.

Skills and experience required:

• completion of a relevant undergraduate degree (for students following the USA system, candidates must have also completed the first year of a JD)
• advanced studies in one or more of the following areas: International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law and; International Criminal Law (postgraduate studies desirable);
• excellent legal research and analysis skills;
• experience of legal writing and drafting;
• strong interpersonal oral and written skills;
• with familiarity IHL or ICL internship or work experience preferable and;
• internet- based research.