https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_IntLCl12The objective of the International Law Clinic is to enable students to provide legal and policy research assistance to the work of clients (litigation lawyers, states, civil society groups, etc.). Students thereby acquire advanced knowledge of international, comparative and human rights law; and skills in legal research, writing, strategic judgment and storytelling techniques as well as professional development towards becoming an international lawyer.The International Law Clinic provides students the opportunity to conduct legal and policy research that is used to assist litigation lawyers, NGO’s, states or courts and quasi-judicial mechanisms in practice. The International Law Clinic’s practice spans a wide range of issues, including human rights, transnational and international crimes, and transitional justice. The concrete topics will vary from year to year, depending on the cases that come in.Each semester, a maximum of 6 students may be accepted to participate in the International Law Clinic. Team meetings with clinical staff and participants to discuss projects, as well as current developments in (conflict-)situations of clients; Mirroring the approach of practicing lawyers, students are obliged to attend meetings (on average every two weeks, but this varies depending on the cases at hand); Tutorials and simulations supplement project work to hone specific skills, such as interviewing; In addition, students are obliged to meet in between those meetings on an individual basis with supervisors and/or peers to discuss work progress when needed; Students commit to participate in the International Law Clinic for a period of 3-6 months, with an average of 8 hours per week during that period; and All participants of the International Law Clinic need to sign a Confidentiality Agreement to maintain attorney-client privilege.Students are assessed based on several written assignments throughout the semester, their team work, and their professional conduct. At the commencement of the semester, students are provided with the detailed assessment form to make clear on which terms they are assessed. Moreover, each student will have an individual mid-term assessment meeting with their supervisor(s). In this mid-term assessment, the supervisor(s) and student discuss which skills are performed well and in which ways the student can improve him or herself for a better grade as well as the student's further professional development. Successful students receive 12 ECTS and a grade upon completion of the course.The literature that students will use will depend on the assignment. Students are expected to find appropriate literature and case law for their research assignments themselves, in cooperation with the team, and may also be directed to relevant literature by supervisors.Any student of any Dutch university or master's program that believes s/he can contribute to the team can apply. In the selection process, team consistence and diversity of knowledge and skills is taken into consideration.The selection is on the basis of motivation letter, CV and grades. To apply, students need to send to these documents to the course coordinator at
[email protected] The application period for Semester 1 opens in August and closes on 28 September. For Semester 2, the application period opens early January and closes January 25 2023. Successful candidates will commence with the Clinic by or around 20 October or 1 March respectively.Prosper Maguchu is the coordinator of the International Law Clinic. He has devoted himself to international human rights issues since 2009, working with organizations including Amnesty International, Interights, and various United Nations and African Union specialised bodies, filing cases and communications before the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights and the Southern African Development Community Tribunal. At the VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam University College, he is teaching courses on international law and human rights law as well as supervising students on regional human rights litigation. Assistant Prof. Maguchu holds a Dr. jur from the University of Giessen, Germany, a master's in Transnational Criminal Justice: An International and African Perspective from the university of the Western Cape, South Africa and Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany.To be eligible for the International Law Clinic, prospective students need to have a basic understanding of public international law, international relations, international criminal law and/or human rights law; Good research and writing skills; Ability to work well with others; and Excellent knowledge of English (Foreign language proficiency is also helpful). Since one of the projects entails the development of technology for the field of human rights, computer science students with affinity for societal impact and human rights are especially encouraged to apply.