The Gauteng High Court, in partnership with the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit ( DGRU) in the Faculty of Law at UCT, is running a 12 month research internship programme for young law graduates. Successful applicants will be employed by UCT on a one-year contract and seconded to either the Pretoria or Johannesburg High Courts for the period of the internship.

We are looking for 12 interns for 2023.

Requirements

• An LLB degree or four (4) years’ recognized legal qualification as recognised by SAQA.
• Knowledge of Electronic Information Resource and online retrieval (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Jutastat, and SabiNet) and law library resources.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent research skills including the ability to integrate knowledge from diverse sources.
• Report writing and editing skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Problem analysis, solving and planning skills.
• Decision making skills.
• Time management skills.
• Creative and analytical skills.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines and to work under pressure.
• Confidentiality and the ability to work as part of a team.

Duties

• Perform all legal research duties for the Judges to enable them to prepare judgements.
• Research and retrieve all material from all sources in both hard copy and electronic formats on legal issues, as requested by a Judge.
• Read all the relevant material and analyse it thoroughly.
• Attend court proceedings upon request of the Judge.
• Discuss all possible variations on a legal point with colleagues and/ or the Judge.
• Prepare a comprehensive memorandum on the outcome of the research.
• Proofread all judgements, articles, speeches and conference papers with respect to spelling and grammar.
• Double-check all references and footnotes in all judgements and legal articles against the original text to ensure correctness.
• Correct mistakes with the help of track changes so that Judges can accept or decline any proposed changes.
• Drafting of speeches, legal articles and conference papers in electronic formats on legal issues as requested by a Judge.
• Read all the relevant materials and analyse it thoroughly.
• Any other research tasks as requested by a Judge or Senior Law Researcher. Work closely with the Law Research Unit and assist it with performing its functions which will include providing summaries of reportable judgments upon request.
• Cooperate with Judges, supervisors and co-workers as necessary to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the court.

Remuneration

Interns will receive a stipend of R8000 a month.

Training

All successful candidates will be required to complete a legal researchers’ training course offered by the Judicial Institute for Africa and will receive a UCT certificate on completion of the course.

Application process

Interested parties are requested to provide a cover letter; CV and transcript of academic performance by 6 JANUARY 2023 to dgruapplications@uct.ac.za

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by 20 January 2023 and successful candidates will commence duties on the 1 February 2023.