Call for Applications: for Internships at the HCCH Permanent Bureau (Head Office, The Hague)
The application period is now open for three- to six-month legal internships at the Permanent Bureau in The Hague, for the period from July to December 2025. Applications will be accepted until Friday 25 April 2025, 18.00 hours (CEST).
(The application period for legal internships from January 2026 will open in due course.)
Application Requirements
Prospective applicants should complete the online application form (see link provided below) and submit the following supporting documentation:
- a letter of motivation (one page maximum)
- a curriculum vitae (CV)
- a transcript of academic records or statement of academic results
- an academic writing sample (an excerpt of any of your essays or papers, in English, French, or Spanish)
- at least one letter of recommendation
Duration of Internships
The duration of an HCCH internship is generally three to six months. Only applications for full-time internships (five days per week) will be considered. Please note that the Permanent Bureau may give priority to longer internships.
Eligibility criteria
The HCCH Internship Programme is open to those currently studying law at the Bachelor, Masters, J.D, and PhD. level and to those who have already been awarded a law degree or Masters.
Language requirements
The intern should be fluent in English, French or Spanish. Knowledge of the other two languages is an asset. Knowledge of any other languages may also be an advantage.
Duties of the intern
Interns are required to:
- carry out research on particular points of private international law and/or comparative law, relevant to the operation of existing HCCH Conventions or to the future work of the HCCH;
- take part in the preparation of HCCH meetings (e.g., Council on General Affairs and Policy, Working/Experts’ Groups, Special Commissions, Diplomatic Sessions);
- contribute to the promotion of the HCCH and its work, assisting with the preparation of presentations and collection of other information according to the needs of the staff of the Permanent Bureau.
In keeping with the role of the Permanent Bureau as the HCCH secretariat, applicants should bear in mind that the nature of the work assigned will generally be a combination of both legal and administrative work.
Remuneration
Internships offered by the Permanent Bureau are not remunerated. Successful applicants are responsible for their travel costs and expenses for the duration of the internship.
Successful applicants are encouraged to consider funding opportunities from their university or from other public and private organisations (e.g., scholarships, grants from research foundations, etc.).
Accommodation
The Permanent Bureau is not able to provide accommodation for interns, but successful applicants will be provided with a document from the Permanent Bureau with useful tips for finding accommodation in The Hague. Please note that successful applicants will be required, upon arrival, to provide an address for the purposes of registration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For more details, refer here
