
The ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme by the International Court of Justice lets law students and young lawyers work with the judges of the International Court. The goal is to help participants learn about how public international law works in real situations and understand the Court’s procedures. During the program, Judicial Fellows work full-time with a Court Member, alongside their main legal assistant. This article explains how you can apply for this opportunity.
ICJ Judicial Fellowship Details:
The ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme, previously called the University Traineeship Programme, started in 1999. Its purpose is to give recent law graduates a chance to gain professional experience working for the International Court of Justice.
During the fellowship, participants, known as Fellows, can expect to do research and write reports on legal or factual matters related to cases before the Court. They also attend hearings and sittings and handle other tasks assigned by their judges.
The fellowship lasts around ten months, from early September to June of the following year. Usually, the Court picks 15 participants who are nominated by universities worldwide.
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Eligibility Requirements for the ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme
To be part of the ICJ Judicial Fellowship Programme, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Candidates should be 31 years old or younger when their fellowship begins. In special cases, this age limit may be waived.
- Academic Excellence: Candidates must show outstanding performance in their legal studies and a strong interest in public international law, demonstrated through their studies, publications, or work experience.
- Language Skills: Candidates should have excellent written and oral proficiency in at least one of the Court’s official languages (English or French). Knowing both languages is a plus.
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