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Call for applications:ÌýInternational Clerkships Program 2026-2027

9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism (CHRLP) is currently accepting applications for:

• a 12-month clerkship at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA);
• a 10-month clerkship at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The clerkships are expected to start in September 2026.

Clerks at each court are assigned to assist one or more judges or staff of the Courts with tasks such as drafting legal and administrative documents, preparing case files, and researching legal issues.ÌýPartial funding is confirmed for the PCA and ICJ (18k stipend).

Eligibility

General requirements:

Current 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ BCL/LLB, LLM or DCL students graduating in June 2026, and recent 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ graduates from Fall 2024 onwards may apply for these positions.

Criteria

The Centre, on behalf of the Faculty of Law, will select a shortlist of candidates to submit to each court for final selection.ÌýCandidates for the ICJ must complete the online application form of the Court.

Candidates will be selected based on:

• strong legal writing and research skills;
• demonstrated interest in international law (relevant courses and
  experiential learning engagement, pertaining to the court they are
  applying to)
• an excellent academic record;
• proficiency in the Court’s official languages (French and English);
• proficiency in other languages will be an asset.

Application Process

Candidates should apply to the specific court they intend to clerk for. Should they wish to apply for more than one clerkship, they should submit a separate cover letter for each candidacy.

Candidates should submit the following documentation:

• a cover letter that specifies the particular Court for which they are applying;
• a completed Personal History Form and Synoptic Table Form (for ICJ applications only);

• a CV;

• copies of transcripts for all post-secondary study;

• two letters of recommendation*; and

• a sample of written work no longer than fifteen (15) double-spaced pages.

All application materials (including recommendation letters) must be submitted in a single PDF file and sent via email to clerkships.law [at] mcgill.ca by 17:00 PM ET on January 20, 2026.Ìý

All cover letters and recommendations should be addressed (but not sent) to:

For the ICJ:

H.E. Philippe Gautier, Registrar

International Court of Justice

Peace Palace, The Hague, The Netherlands

Note: the title of the ICJ clerkships program is now the Judicial Fellows Programme.

For the PCA:

H.E. Hugo Hans Siblesz, Secretary General

Permanent Court of Arbitration

Peace Palace, The Hague, The Netherlands

* If referees prefer to submit their references in confidence, they can directly email nandini.ramanujam [at] mcgill.ca.

For further information, please contact clerkships.law [at] mcgill.ca.

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