The ACWL invites nominations for the 2023-2024 cycle of the Secondment Programme for Trade Lawyers. The Secondment Programme is among the ACWL’s most successful and popular activities. To date, a total of 58 government lawyers from 20 developing countries and 14 least-developed countries have participated in the Programme. These include lawyers from Bhutan, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Viet Nam and Zambia.
The Programme is intended to provide government officials entrusted with functions relating to the legal aspects of trade policy the opportunity to broaden their professional experience in the field of WTO law by temporarily joining the staff of the ACWL. Up to four successful candidates will join the staff of the ACWL as paid trainees from October 2023 to June 2024. The participants will be provided with both theoretical training and practical experience in WTO law and an opportunity to participate actively in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. Upon completion of the Programme, the participants are expected to resume their employment with their government.
The ACWL is looking for highly-motivated lawyers that will return to work in their government on trade and other international legal matters. It is understood that some lawyers, especially those from least-developed countries, may not have significant prior experience in WTO law. This will not disqualify any otherwise qualified nominees from these countries.
ACWL developing country Members and least-developed countries are invited to nominate suitable candidates. Each country should nominate no more than two candidates. All candidates are requested to provide a detailed CV and to complete a personal history form. The form can be downloaded at the link below. If you have problems downloading it, you may request a copy by contacting secretariat@acwl.ch
Further details of the application procedures and eligibility requirements are available in the Secondment Programme Memorandum, which can also be downloaded below.
The deadline for the submission of applications is Tuesday, 11 April 2023.
Personal History Form 2023-2024 doc, 201 KB.
Secondment Programme Memorandum 2023-2024 pdf, 247 KB.
7 March 2023