Internship Programme | Permanent Bureau | Hague Conference on Private International Law | Netherland | Apply by 20th April 2026

Internship Programme | Permanent Bureau | Hague Conference on Private International Law | Netherland | Apply by 20th April 2026

HCCH Legal Internship Programme – Applications Open:

Application Deadline: Monday, 20 April 2026 (18:00 CEST)
Internship Period: September 2026 – February 2027
Location: Permanent Bureau, The Hague (with option for Regional Office in Hong Kong SAR)

About the Programme:

The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) invites applications for its upcoming three- to six-month legal internships at the Permanent Bureau in The Hague. This programme offers law students and graduates a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge of private international law, gain practical experience, and contribute to the day-to-day work of the HCCH.

Interns assist HCCH staff in research, preparation of meetings, and promotion of HCCH Conventions, while also engaging with comparative law and international legal frameworks.

Divisions and Areas of Work:

Interns may express preferences for specific divisions, including:

• Family and Child Protection Law Division
  • 1980 Child Abduction Convention
  • 1996 Child Protection Convention
  • 1993 Adoption Convention & Parentage/Surrogacy Project
  • 2000 Protection of Adults Convention
  • 2007 Child Support Convention & Maintenance Obligations Protocol
  • Recognition and Enforcement of Protection Orders Project
• Transnational Litigation and Apostille Division
  • 1961 Apostille Convention (including e-APP)
  • 1965 Service Convention, 1970 Evidence Convention, 1980 Access to Justice Convention
  • 2005 Choice of Court Convention
  • 2019 Judgments Convention
  • Jurisdiction Project
• Commercial, Digital and Financial Law Division
  • Central Bank Digital Currencies Project
  • Carbon Markets Project
  • Digital Tokens & Digital Economy Projects
  • 1985 Trusts Convention
  • 2006 Securities Convention
  • 2015 Choice of Law Principles

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to students currently enrolled in Bachelor, Masters, J.D., or Ph.D. law programmes, as well as law graduates.
• Preference may be given to students in advanced stages of their studies.
• Applicants must be fluent in English, French, or Spanish. Knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

Internship Details:

• Duration: 3–6 months (full-time, five days per week). Priority may be given to longer internships.
• Remuneration: Internships are unpaid. Applicants are responsible for travel and living expenses. Funding opportunities may be sought from universities or external organisations.
• Accommodation: HCCH provides guidance but does not arrange housing. Interns must provide a local address for registration.
• Insurance: Interns must hold adequate insurance covering medical, hospital, repatriation, and third-party liability.
• Confidentiality: Interns must sign a confidentiality agreement and conflict of interest declaration.

Duties of Interns:

• Conduct research on private international law and comparative law.
• Assist in preparing HCCH meetings, including Special Commissions and Diplomatic Sessions.
• Contribute to HCCH outreach, presentations, and information materials.
• Support both legal and administrative tasks as part of the HCCH Secretariat.

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) – Hong Kong SAR:

Applicants may also request consideration for internships at HCCH’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Work includes:

• Assisting in meetings, conferences, and webinars.
• Preparing presentations and newsletters.
• Promoting HCCH Conventions in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Conducting research on private international law in regional contexts.

Duration: 3 weeks to 6 months (in-person or online).
Note: No financial support is available; applicants must cover their own expenses.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following documents in PDF format:

1. Letter of Motivation (max. 1 page)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Transcript of academic records or statement of results
4. Academic writing sample (essay/paper excerpt in English, French, or Spanish)
5. At least one Letter of Recommendation

File Naming Format:
[FAMILY NAME] [First Name] [Document Number] – [Document Name]
Example: SMITH John 1 – Letter of Motivation

Submission Process:

Complete applications must be submitted via the online form: HCCH Internship Application Form

Deadline: Monday, 20th April 2026, 18:00 CEST.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome approximately one month after the closing date. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a video interview to assess qualifications, motivation, and language ability.

Contact Information:

For queries, please contact: internships@hcch.net

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