International Judicial Clerkships Program FAQs
What is the CHRLP’s international judicial clerkships program?
Since 2008 on behalf the McGill Faculty of Law, the Centre for Human Rights & Legal Pluralism (CHRLP) has managed the international judicial clerkships program, an outreach platform for students to gain valuable experience at leading international Courts. Supported by the McGill International Experience Awards and the Hon. Morris J. Fish Clerkship award, students spend 3-12 months supporting the Court and its judges upon application and acceptance.
The program includes the following Courts:
- International Court of Justice (ICJ)—now called the Judicial Fellows Programme
- Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
- Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR)
How do I apply?
While each Court requires a separate application, there are two main application streams: one for the ICJ, PCA, and IACHR. These Courts only receive shortlisted and nominated applications. The Courts then select final candidates internally and notify the nominating universities who, in turn, inform the applicants.
For more information, please see the calls for application (released in early fall) for more information on required materials and deadlines (roughly mid-January).
Please note that the ICJ requires the completion of a personal history form and a synoptic table in addition to a cover letter, CV, and other materials, though some information may overlap.
Can I apply to more than one clerkship position?
Yes, but you must submit a separate application package for each Court you wish to apply to.
How many reference letters are required?
The Courts require at least two letters of recommendation. The SCI specifies a preference for at least one letter by a law professor.
The letters may be submitted by the student within their application package. If referees prefer to submit their references in confidence, they may send them by email to clerkships.law [at] mcgill.ca.
For how long am I eligible to apply for the program?
You may apply for up to 3 years after you graduate.
Am I eligible to apply if I intend on graduating in the summer of the same year the clerkship starts?
As long as your degree requirements are completed by June of the same year in which the clerkship begins, you are eligible to apply.
Are the clerkships funded?
The Faculty provides a modest stipend to cover the costs related to travel, accommodation, and other expenses for the clerkships at the ICJ, PCA, and IACHR.
Students who apply directly to the SCI and are accepted will be eligible to apply for the Hon. Morris J. Fish Clerkship Award in the amount of $5000 to assist with travel and living expenses related to the clerkship. Application for the award is done separately from the application for the clerkship, and only after securing an offer from the Court. Funding applications are accepted through myFuture and email (clerkships.law [at] mcgill.ca)">clerkships.law [at] mcgill.ca). Please include the following materials:
- A clerkship acceptance letter from the Supreme Court of Israel
- An updated curriculum vitae
- The names of two referees, at least one of whom must be a McGill Law professor
- A recent law transcript
- A short letter expressing intention for the clerkship and requesting funding, addressed to Professor Nandini Ramanujam
Successful candidates for the Hon. Fish Clerkship Award must also commit to providing a final report on their experience at the end of the clerkship. Selection for the award will be based on academic achievement.
