Traineeships

As a young graduate or national judge, you have the opportunity to take part in a traineeship programme at the Court of Justice of the European Union, the judicial institution of the European Union, and the guarantor of EU law for 450 million citizens. This programme will give you the opportunity not only to enrich your training, but also to contribute to the Court's activities, in a stimulating, European and multilingual context. You will meet other young graduate trainees and judges who share the common values of the European Union, founded on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

“My traineeship at the Court of Justice of the European Union has truly been an enriching one. It has given me the opportunity to add a practical dimension to the theory-based knowledge of EU law gained during my studies. In this vein, working in the Press and Information Unit of the Communication Directorate has been instrumental in affording me a holistic, high-level overview of how a case proceeds through the Court – from pleading and deliberation to judgment and translation, all the way to how the final ruling is received by the media and the citizens of Europe. Working with talented and passionate colleagues, who have created such a supportive learning environment for the trainees, has been a particular privilege. The skills and experience I have gained during my time here will no doubt benefit me for years to come, and so I would absolutely recommend this traineeship to everyone!”

Olivia Moore

“I found the Traineeship at the Court to be a great post-grad experience. After graduating, I wanted to start working in the world of law, but I also wanted to travel. The Traineeship allowed me to meet both of these needs. I had been told so often about how quiet Luxembourg is, so I was worried about not having much of a social life while working in the Court. Thankfully, there is a great social aspect to the Traineeship with trips abroad and weekly after-work socials. If you are applying for the Traineeship, don’t be afraid to reach out to past trainees you may know – everyone in the Court was so welcoming and more than happy to answer any questions I had.”

Sorchadh Higgins

Traineeships for young graduates

Under the programme, young graduates will be given training in the activities of the institution and carry out tasks to assist the Court’s work.

There are a limited number of traineeships available, around 200 per year. They may take place either in the Chambers of the Members (Judges and Advocates General), for a period of three to five months, or in the administrative departments of the Court, for a period of five months.

Trainees are subject to a duty of discretion, both during and after their traineeship, regarding all internal Court matters and documents of which they have become aware. In that respect, the trainee may not publish or have published anything related to their traineeship without giving prior notification to the relevant Member or head of department. Before starting their traineeship, trainees sign a solemn undertaking to comply with this duty.

Traineeships in the Members’ chambers (Judges and Advocates General)

Chamber traineeships are primarily aimed at young law graduates, ideally those with training in EU law. As part of their duties, trainees participate in the work of the chamber by carrying out various tasks relating to cases assigned to the relevant Member and which have not yet reached the deliberation stage.

Traineeships in the administrative departments

In those departments of the Court accepting trainees, they have the opportunity to discover the specific duties performed there and apply the knowledge acquired during their studies. They participate actively in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them, under the supervision of experienced officials.

The following administrative departments accept trainees:

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

Traineeships in the Interpretation Department

Traineeships in the Interpretation Department last 10 to 12 weeks and are aimed in particular at young graduates in conference interpreting. The aim is to enable young interpreters to be supervised as they perfect their interpreting skills, particularly of legal content, which includes the preparation of case  files, terminology research and practical exercises in a ‘silent booth’. Candidates must have at least two passive languages or a second active language. The ability to read French is required. Applicant selection takes place once a year covering the entire judicial year (applications must be submitted between 1 July and 15 September each year).

Eligibility, remuneration and applications

Eligibility

- You must be a national of a Member State of the European Union, subject to duly justified exceptions.

- You must have completed a university course in law, political science or economics or in a related field, attested by a diploma (or, exceptionally, an equivalent course of study).

- You must have a thorough knowledge of an official language of the European Union and a good knowledge of another official language of the European Union. For operational reasons, a good knowledge of French is desirable.

- You must not have already undertaken a traineeship (whether paid or unpaid) in an institution or body of the European Union.

Remuneration

The grant amount is a net € 1 554 every month. This grant is not subject to the tax regime applicable to officials and other agents of the European Union. A contribution of € 150 towards travel costs is paid to trainees whose place of residence is located 200km or more from the Court of Justice of the European Union.

This remuneration does not apply to 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.

How to apply?

For traineeships taking place during the period between 1 March and 31 July, applications may be submitted between 1 July and 15 September of the preceding year.

For traineeships taking place during the period between 16 September and 15 February (traineeships in the Chambers) or between 1 October and the end of February (traineeships in the administrative departments), applications may be submitted between 1 February and 15 April of the same year.

Applications must be submitted via the EU CV Online application and be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae. Copies of diplomas and/or certificates, including those issued by a university authority concerning academic or professional qualifications must be submitted upon request as part of the pre-selection procedure.

Selected applicants are informed in writing by the Court’s human resources department of the decision taken with regard to them. Admission to a traineeship does not grant the trainee the status of EU official or servant, nor does it entail any right or entitlement to recruitment.

Traineeships for national judges

The Court accepts national judges as trainees under the exchange programme organised by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), at a maximum of 15 judges per year.

Traineeships for national judges are undertaken in the chambers of the Members of the Court of Justice and the General Court or in the Research and Documentation Directorate (RDD). They last for between six and 12 months. As trainees, national judges carry out the same tasks as legal secretaries or RDD administrators, depending on where they are assigned.

National judges are subject to a duty of discretion, both during and after their traineeship, regarding all internal matters or documents of which they become aware. Judges undertake not to publish or have published anything relating to their traineeship.

Eligibility

- Must have held judicial office (as a judge or prosecutor) in a Member State of the European Union for at least one year.

- Must be familiar with EU law.

- Must have a perfect knowledge of an official language of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of French to be able to support the Members of the Court of Justice and the General Court in the handling of case files and the drafting of decisions.

Remuneration

National judges accepted for a traineeship do not receive any payment or compensation from the Court. They receive a daily allowance funded by the EJTN.

How to apply?

Application must be submitted to the EJTN (ETJN – long term traineeships).