The Kalisher Trust Legal Internship - Applications now open
- News
- 17 Oct 2021
About the Kalisher Trust
The Kalisher Trust exists to help those from under-represented groups begin their professional career at the Criminal Bar. Established in 1996, the Kalisher Trust aims to identify and encourage the brightest and best, regardless of background. Its role is to support talent, and to ensure it is nurtured, encouraged, and used, in the best and proudest traditions of the Criminal Bar, for the public good. It educates students from primary school age upwards, and provides practical and financial support for those aged 18 and over.
The Kalisher Legal Internships are intended to encourage and assist those intending to practice at the Criminal Bar who demonstrate “exceptional promise but modest means”. The Kalisher Trust encourages applicants who meet these criteria, who are from underrepresented backgrounds and communities, to apply.
About the Kalisher Trust Internship Programme at The Death Penalty Project
The Death Penalty Project (DPP) is a legal action NGO based in London, with special consultive status before the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
DPP provides free legal representation to people facing the death penalty worldwide. It operates in over 30 countries with a focus on the Commonwealth. It also provides access to justice to vulnerable prisoners, including juveniles, those who suffer from mental health issues and victims of domestic abuse.
Driven by a belief that the death penalty is cruel and often discriminates against the poorest and most disadvantaged members of society, DPP uses the law to protect prisoners facing execution and promote fair criminal justice systems, where the rights of all people are respected. Its work has saved the lives of thousands of prisoners and transformed the legal landscape in the countries in which it operates.
To complement its legal work, DPP delivers capacity-building programmes to judges, lawyers and mental health professionals and others working within the criminal justice system. It also commissions original research and engage with governments and key stakeholders to support a more informed debate on the death penalty.
This internship programme was established in 2019 and is co-funded by The Kalisher Trust and Doughty Street Chambers. The programme will run for three years and one position is available per year, for a six-month period. The 2021 internship will run between January 2022 and June 2022. The intern will receive a remuneration of £6,000 for this period.
Interns will be based at the offices of The Death Penalty Project, where they will learn how a legal NGO operates and support the team in ongoing casework and court hearings.
Interns will undertake comparative research, prepare court documents and gain first-hand experience in litigation before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Interns will be offered a mentor during the programme, drawn from the Kalisher Trust’s network. The mentor will offer guidance, support and advice regarding the intern’s career aspirations, applications and further work experience.
Who can apply?
The successful candidate will:
- be committed to the mission, vision and values of the DPP
- have completed a law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law
- have completed or soon be taking the BPTC
- have an excellent academic record, and proven intellectual ability
- have a demonstrated interest in criminal law and the criminal justice system
- be motivated to succeed at the Criminal Bar, and have taken steps to develop skills and personal qualities necessary to succeed at the Criminal Bar
- have demonstrated potential as an advocate
- have excellent verbal and written communication skills
- may be from an under-represented community
- be able to demonstrate financial need (in confidence, candidates will be asked to supply the interview panel with appropriate evidence of need)
How to apply
To be considered for an internship please email a copy of your CV and a brief covering letter to [email protected]. The covering letter should explain how you are of “exceptional promise but modest means”, and indicate relevant education, skills and experience. Your CV should include the contact details of two referees (who will not be contacted until after the interview).
Please mark your email with ‘KALISHER INTERNSHIP’ in the subject line.
The closing date for applications is 15th November at 5pm BST.
Short listed candidates will be notified by 29th November and invited for an interview after this date.
The Death Penalty Project’s internship programme is governed by the principles of equal opportunity.
