Graduate Internships

Please note: This is not currently a complete listing – instead of creating a new post everytime I come across an internship I shall simply update this post. So, do keep visiting if you are seriously looking for an internship.

The following NGO’s, charities and other bodies all offer internships which may be of interest to law graduates. Some are legal in nature but others may use your legal skills and/or knowledge in other ways.

Follow the links to see the full details of the internships – be aware, that some organisations may only post the information on their website when the application process goes ‘live’. This means that there may be no information for part of the year and you will need to keep revisiting if you are interested. However, most of the organisations will have some kind of social media/email sign up which will alert you to the positions when then do, indeed, ‘go live’.

WHEN TO APPLY

Each internship will be different. Most are likely to have a closing date of January in your final year. Some will be earlier. Many accept applications from May in your penultimate year of study. So, research in year 2, draft your applications during your final summer and make the actual application as you return for your final year.

The Links:

There is a wealth of information about Human Rights organisations on the university careers web pages – I want to work in Human Rights – Careers and Employability Service – University of Kent
The International Labour Office: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/pers/vacancy/intern.htm#q2
Government Legal Service – https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-legal-service
Human Rights Watch – http://www.hrw.org/about/volunteering
Reprieve – https://reprieve.org/uk/about-us/
European Patent Office – http://www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/graduates.html
International Bar Association – http://www.ibanet.org/Education_and_Internships/Legal_Internship_Programme.aspx

And….those who do not offer internships but may offer an alternative (usually volunteering):

There is a listing of pro-bono opportunities (not comprehensive) on this page of this blog.
Law Commision – https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/ – “We do not run our own intern scheme, although we advertise annually for fixed-term, paid Research Assistants.”
The Free Representation Unit – https://www.thefru.org.uk/volunteers – volunteering positions.
Human Rights Watch – http://www.hrw.org/about/volunteering – as a volunteer you may be translating documents.
Law Centres – https://www.lawcentres.org.uk/ – all these centres are in London