The ACWL invites nominations for the 2026-2027 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 70 government lawyers from 22 developing countries and 15 least-developed countries have participated in the Programme. These include lawyers from Bhutan, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, 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, Sri Lanka, The Gambia, Thailand, Türkiye, Uganda, Viet Nam and Zambia.
The Programme is intended to provide government lawyers working on the legal aspects of trade policy the opportunity to broaden their professional experience 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 2026 to June 2027. 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 lawyers from some 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. All candidates are requested to provide a detailed CV and to complete a personal history form. The nomination process has two steps:
- First, applicants must fill in the electronic form (personal history form), which can be accessed through this link.
- Second, the Government must email a nomination letter, together with a detailed CV of the candidate, directly to secretariat@acwl.ch. The nomination can be sent either from capital or from the Government’s WTO Mission.
Please note that nominations will not be considered unless and until a proper letter of nomination is received directly from the Government.
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 Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
acwl-secondment-programme-memorandum-march-2026 pdf, 247 KB.
24 March 2025