Association of Defence Counsel - ADC-ICT Internships

Working for a Defence Team 

Defence Counsel practising before the international courts and tribunals are supported by a range of staff such as investigators, legal assistants and case managers. This is referred to as the Defence Team. In addition to these staff, teams also have internships for applicants who are interested in international criminal defence. 

Accredited Internship 

The accredited internship is an internship that provides the intern with academic tutoring as well as practical experience working for a Defence Team. The ADC-ICT has established internship partnerships with a number of the universities for academic credits. Interested applicants should seek information on credits from their own academic institute. 

Unaccredited Internship 

The unaccredited internships allows interns to experience working in international criminal defence but without receiving credit, unless otherwise agreed with their own academic institution. 

Structure and Duration 

Internships last between 3 and 6 months. From past experience, 3 months has been found suitable as a minimum period for interns to maximize their learning experience and to be able to contribute substantially to the work of the Team. Although there is no limit to the length of the internship, a 6 month period is a generally accepted period. 

Internships may commence at any time, in consultation with the Defence Team. 

Tasks 

The tasks that an intern is required to perform may include legal research, witness summaries, witness preparation, factual research, writing legal memoranda, case management tasks and supporting Defence Counsel in their daily work. 

The ADC regularly organises advocacy training, field trips and social activities. Interns also have the possibility of joining the ADC Newsletter Team and the IRMCT Intern Career Development Committee.

Non-legal Internship 

The ADC-ICT also offers a non-legal internship with the Head of Office, lasting for 5 to 6 months on a part-time basis. This comprises of mainly administrative, communication and organisational tasks, such as compiling the ADC newsletter, updating the ADC website, co-ordinating the internship programme and social activities for current interns, organising events and lectures, and supporting the Head of Office in daily tasks. 

This internship does not require a legal background. Experience in the field of Communication, Media and Event Management, as well as good coordination and organisation capabilities are an asset. If you are interested in an internship in the Head Office, please specify this on your application. 

Application Procedure 

Applicants for the internships should provide all the information requested in the application form. The application deadline is approximately two months before the intended start of the internship and applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and you could be contacted to start sooner. 

Applications that are not submitted in accordance with the requirements set out above and mentioned in the application form, are regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for the Programme. Please note that the ADC-ICT is not able to return any documentation included in the application and will not contact candidates for missing documents. 

Applicants for the accredited internship programme will be approved by the academic institutions. Applicants for the unaccredited intern programme will be reviewed by the ADC-ICT and forwarded to individual Defence Teams for further contact. 

Interns interested in joining the ADC-ICT Newsletter team and/or the IRMCT Career Development Committee should mention this in their application.