The Court of Justice of the European Union offers paid traineeship programmes for young graduates. Approximately 200 places are available each year in both the Court’s services (five months) and in the Members’ Chambers (three to five months). 10 to 12 week traineeships are available in the Interpretation Directorate. The Court also has a specific traineeship programme for national judges.

Introduction

The Court’s traineeship programme will provide you with valuable skills, hands-on experience, and the chance to contribute to the activities of the EU’s judicial institution. As a trainee, you will join a dynamic, multilingual environment, connecting with like-minded peers who uphold the EU’s fundamental values of democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Traineeships for Young Graduates

Young graduates will gain insight into the Court’s functions and carry out tasks to assist in the Court’s work.

There are a limited number of traineeships available, approximately 200 per year.

They can take place either in the Members’ Chambers – with Judges or Advocates General – or in the Court’s administrative services.

Types of Traineeships

1. Traineeships in the Members’ Chambers

Law graduates, particularly those with training in EU law, can apply for chamber traineeships with Judges and Advocates General – in either the Court of Justice or the General Court.

As part of their duties, trainees participate in the Chamber’s work by carrying out various tasks relating to cases assigned to the Judge or Advocate General and which have not yet reached the deliberation stage in the proceedings.

Duration

• Three to five months
• Two sessions every year:
  • 1 March to 31 July
  • 1 October to the end of February

2. Traineeships in the Services

Service traineeships in the Court’s administrative departments are open to graduates of any field of study – in some departments, a degree in a specific field, namely law, may be required.

As part of their duties, trainees learn about the specific tasks performed in each department and can gain practical experience under the supervision of experienced officials.

Services accepting trainees

The services that accept trainees are the

1. 1. Directorate for Human Resources
   2. Directorate for the Budget and Financial Affairs
   3. Directorate for Buildings and Security
   4. Directorate for Multilingualism (legal translation and interpretation)
   5. Library Directorate
   6. Research and Documentation Directorate
   7. Projects and Terminological Coordination Unit
   8. Protocol and Visits Directorate
   9. Information Technology Directorate
   10. Communication Directorate
   11. Legal Adviser on Administrative Matters
   12. Registry of the Court of Justice of the European Union
   13. Registry of the General Court of the European Union

Duration

• Five months
• Two sessions every year:
  • 1 March to 31 July
  • 1 October to the end of February

3. Traineeships in Interpretation

Young graduates of conference interpreting can apply for traineeships in the Interpretation Department.

As part of their duties, trainee interpreters will refine their interpreting skills, particularly of legal content, under the supervision of experienced interpreters. This includes preparing files, terminology research and practical exercises in a “silent booth”.

In order to apply, you must have at least two passive languages or a second active language. You must also be able to read French.

Duration

• 10 to 12 weeks
• Applicant selection takes place once a year covering the entire judicial year.

Eligibility

In order to apply, you must:

• be a national of an EU Member State (exceptions may apply in duly justified cases)
• have a university degree or diploma in any field of study – however, for the Members’ Chambers, a degree in law, political science, economics or a related field is required
• have a thorough knowledge of an official EU language and a good knowledge of another EU language. A good knowledge of French or English is required.
• have not already held a post or undertaken a traineeship – either paid or unpaid – lasting more than six weeks in an EU institution or body

Grant

Trainees receive a grant equivalent to 75% of the minimum social wage for a skilled worker in Luxembourg – amounting to a grant of approximately €2,400 per month. This grant is not subject to the tax regime applicable to EU officials and other agents.

Under certain conditions, trainees will receive a one-time travel allowance, currently set at €150.

This remuneration does not apply to any traineeships carried out in the Members’ Chambers outside of the two fixed periods under a professional training course for which trainees also receive a grant, an allowance or remuneration from another source.

How to Apply

You can submit your application via EU CV Online.

• For traineeships taking place during the period between 1 March and 31 July, apply between July and September the year before.
• For traineeships taking place during the period between 1 October and the end of February, apply between February and April of the same year.
• For interpretation traineeships taking place during the entire judicial year, apply between July and September the year before.

The specific application deadlines are listed on EU CV Online.

You may be asked to submit copies of diplomas and/or certificates upon request as part of the pre-selection procedure.

The Court’s human resources department will contact successful applicants.

Please note that admission to a traineeship does not grant the trainee the status of EU official or servant. It also does not give the trainee any right or entitlement to recruitment.

Application periods

• 1 March to 31 July traineeships: Apply between July and September the year before.
• 1 October to the end of February traineeships: Apply between February and April of the same year.
• Interpretation traineeships: Apply between July and September the year before.

The specific application deadlines are listed on EU CV Online.

You may be asked to submit copies of diplomas and/or certificates upon request as part of the pre-selection procedure.

The Court’s human resources department will contact successful applicants.

Please note that admission to a traineeship does not grant the trainee the status of EU official or servant. It also does not give the trainee any right or entitlement to recruitment.

Inclusivity Programme for Persons with Disabilities

The Court supports equal opportunities and equal treatment of candidates. It actively encourages candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds to apply for a traineeship if they fulfil the eligibility criteria.

The Court has a specific programme to ensure access to traineeships for persons with disabilities. This programme offers 2 traineeships per traineeship period.

These traineeships last for three to five months and take place either in the Members’ Chambers or in the administrative services.

Fields available

• Legal affairs
• Administration
• Communications
• IT
• Legal translation
• Legal research

The application is done via EU CV Online.

When applying candidates will be asked to supply documentation specifying the level of their disability. This is to ensure that our medical service can evaluate any accommodating measures that need to be taken.

Grant

Trainees in this programme receive a monthly grant and a one-time travel allowance, the amounts of which are higher than those provided under the other traineeship programmes.

Traineeships for National Judges

National judges can take part in an exchange programme organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN).

Trainee judges can work in the Members’ Chambers (Judges and Advocates General) in the Court of Justice or the General Court, or in the Research and Documentation Directorate (DRD).

As part of their duties, trainee judges act as legal secretaries or DRD administrators, depending on where they are assigned.

There are a limited number of traineeships available, with up to 15 judges accepted annually. The traineeships last for between 6 and 12 months.

Eligibility for National Judges

In order to apply, you must:

• have held judicial office – as a judge or prosecutor – in an EU Member State for at least one year
• be familiar with EU law
• have perfect knowledge of an official EU language and a satisfactory knowledge of French, in order to be able to support the Members in the handling of case files and the drafting of decisions

Payment

Trainee judges do not receive any payment or compensation from the Court. Instead, they receive a daily allowance funded by the EJTN.

How to Apply (National Judges)

Applications must be submitted to the EJTN. You can find more information about the traineeships on the EJTN website.

Duty of Discretion

All trainees are subject to a duty of discretion – both during and after their traineeship – regarding all internal Court matters and documents.

Trainees must seek approval from the relevant Member or head of department before publishing anything related to the traineeship. Before beginning their traineeship, they must also sign a solemn undertaking pledging to uphold this duty.

Source: https://curia.europa.eu/site/jcms/d2_5152