Legal Internship at the HCCH Permanent Bureau [The Hague, Netherlands] – Apply by April 20!

About the HCCH (The Hague Conference)

The HCCH is a global intergovernmental organization that works for the "progressive unification" of the rules of private international law. Based in The Hague—the international city of peace and justice—the Permanent Bureau acts as the secretariat for the Conference, managing dozens of international conventions that govern everything from child abduction to digital securities.

About the Internship

The Permanent Bureau is seeking legal interns for the September 2026 – February 2027 cycle. This is an immersive experience where interns assist staff in drafting reports, researching complex jurisdictional issues, and supporting the implementation of HCCH Conventions.

Divisions & Projects

Applicants are encouraged to rank their preference among three specialized divisions:

1. Family & Child Protection Law: * Focus: Child Abduction, Adoption, and the Parentage/Surrogacy Project.
2. Transnational Litigation & Apostille: * Focus: Service and Evidence Conventions, the Judgments Convention, and the Jurisdiction Project.
3. Commercial, Digital & Financial Law (High-Tech): * Focus: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), Carbon Markets, Digital Tokens, and the Digital Economy Project.

Eligibility Criteria

• Education: Open to Bachelor, Master, J.D., and PhD students. Graduates who already hold a law degree are also eligible.
• Nationalities: Indian students and international aspirants are fully eligible.
• Language: Fluency in English, French, or Spanish is required. Proficiency in a second HCCH language is a major asset.
• Preference: For Bachelor students, preference is given to those in their final years of study.

Key Internship Details

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted via the online form with all documents in PDF format. Ensure your files are named correctly (e.g., [SURNAME] [First Name] 1 – Letter of Motivation).

Required Documents:

1. Motivation Letter (Max 1 page)
2. CV / Résumé
3. Academic Transcript
4. Writing Sample (Excerpt of an essay/paper in English, French, or Spanish)
5. Letter of Recommendation (At least one)

• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a video interview approximately one month after the deadline.
• Apply Link: Click Here to Apply.
• Official Inquiry: internships@hcch.net