THE LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

The Legal Internship Programme at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court offers students, who have successfully completed the first year of Law School, a unique opportunity for professional growth and the development of practical skills.

The Programme, initiated in the early 1990s, is open to students of all accredited Law Schools. It is intended to provide another avenue by which students of Law Schools may pursue their Internship attachment with the Court, for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of their institution. It is envisaged that this Programme will assist students to acquire experience in, and knowledge of, the practical workings of the Court process, and of the Court’s role as the primary organ for the administration of justice in the Eastern Caribbean.

The Internship Programme was re-engineered in 2001, under the auspices of His Lordship, Chief Justice the Hon. Sir Dennis Byron. For the first time, a formal application process embodied the selection criteria for suitable candidates. Advertisements for two placements were lodged at the region’s Law Schools and a Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court conducted interviews with all the applicants. Successful applicants were offered placements over three months.

Interns work eight-hour days, five days a week. Thus, other employment is not feasible.

The Programme

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Legal Internship Programme immerses students in the heart of the appellate process. They perform a variety of tasks, all of which are expected to facilitate a clearer understanding of the legal profession. The Programme provides Interns with broad experience in numerous aspects of both the criminal and civil law. Interns work closely with the Chief Justice, Justices of Appeal as well as the Chief Registrar. Frequent and informal feedback is encouraged and is considered essential to an Intern’s duties.

During Internship, an Intern will be required to perform any or all of the following duties:

• Conduct research for the writing of judgments and rulings as directed by the Honourable Chief Justice, the Justices of Appeal and the Masters of the Court.

• Write legal opinions on issues, as directed by the Honourable Chief Justice, the Justices of Appeal, and the Masters of the Court.

• Participate in the administrative functions of the Court, by performing proofreading, editing and similar functions, and attending meetings whenever necessary.

• Attend sittings of the Court of Appeal, the High Court, the Masters Court and the Magistrates Court.

• Perform the functions of Clerk of Court at sittings of the Masters Court.

• Assist the Chief Registrar of the Court in the performance of her duties.

Opportunities

Participants usually find the Internship both interesting and educational. Interns gain familiarity with the structure of the Court and the way it functions. The Programme also enables participants to become familiar with the various internal offices, at the Headquarters, that support the Court.
Recent Interns have attended several Chamber Sittings, where the Court exercises its range of Case Management powers, and they also assisted in the collation of the digests for these Sittings. Interaction with the Chief Justice and the other Justices of Appeal was encouraged from the onset and increased markedly throughout the duration of their Internships.

Selection Criteria

The Internship Programme is intended to benefit two [2] students, over any given summer period. The Programme is open to students who are registered in a full time course of studies at all accredited Law Schools. Applicants are short-listed for interview, at a time and place to be determined by the Court.
Desirable qualities of Interns:
1. High intellectual development, including an ability to think clearly, speak articulately, and write cogently; some research experience is also desirable.
2. The capacity to absorb extensive information and to analyze, summarize, and draw conclusions.
3. Ability and willingness to participate in team work.
3. Capacity to undertake a variety of tasks as assigned.
4. Trustworthiness and discretion, maturity, and good judgment.
5. Intrinsic motivation and initiative.

Duration and Stipend

An Internship will be for a period of ten [10] weeks. To assist with the accommodation and other living expenses, the Intern will be paid a monthly stipend. Remuneration for the period of any part of a month worked will be calculated pro rata, and the Intern will be paid accordingly.

Application

Students wishing to apply for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Legal Internship Programme must submit a type-written application. This must be accompanied by the names of two [2] references, as well as a current curriculum vitae.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Secretary
Judicial and Legal Services Commission
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
P.O. Box 1093
Castries
Saint Lucia, W.I.

Interested students who are attending a Law School in the Commonwealth Caribbean should submit their applications to the Principal of the School.