COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Lawyer – United Kingdom

Lawyer – United Kingdom

Reference: e004/2024

Deadline: 26 February 2024

Location: Strasbourg

Grade A1/A2 

Are you a lawyer who wants to gain experience in an international Organisation working for human rights, democracy and the rule of law? Do you want to help the European Court of Human Rights to ensure respect for the rights of 700 million Europeans? Dealing with applications alleging violations of the rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights interests you? If so, our job offer may be the right opportunity for you.  

Who we are 

With over 2200 staff members representing all its 46 member States, the Council of Europe is a multicultural Organisation. We all strive towards protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law and our three core values – professionalism, integrity and respect – guide the way we work.

The European Court of Human Rights oversees the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in the member States. Individuals can bring complaints of human rights violations to the Strasbourg Court once all possibilities of appeal have been exhausted in the member State concerned. See the Court’s website for information about its activities.

The Council of Europe has its headquarters in Strasbourg (France) and has external presence in more than twenty countries. See here for more information about the Council of Europe external presence.

Your role 

As a Lawyer, you will: 

• manage a certain number of case-files in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Court’s procedures:
  • examine and deal with applications lodged with the Court in accordance with the general time-limits, internal guidelines and specific country-management meetings instructions;
  • maintain correspondence with the applicants and, where appropriate, with Governments and third parties;
  • prepare case-files for the examination by a Judge-rapporteur and for submission to the Court;
  • ensure legal analysis;
  • attend the Court’s sessions and present cases;
  • draft judgments, decisions, minutes, reports, notes and other documents;
  • undertake studies and research relating to the case-law of the Court and national law;
  • analyse and distribute information concerning the Court’s case-law;
• advise and report to a Senior Legal Adviser: report on the results achieved, on further requirements, risks and opportunities of developments or events;
• communicate in matters concerning the case-files:
  • ensure that all those concerned are informed appropriately;
  • maintain contacts with counterparts;
• promote the values of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights internally and externally.

What we are looking for

You must: 

• hold a higher education degree in law obtained in the United Kingdom;
• be qualified in one of the jurisdictions of the United Kingdom as a solicitor, barrister or advocate, and have completed your training contract or pupillage before the closing of the deadline for submission of applications for this vacancy notice.
• at the point of submitting your application, have a minimum of two years of relevant post-qualification professional experience acquired in the legal field in the United Kingdom or in international Organisations;
• have an excellent knowledge of English (mother tongue level) and the ability to draft legal texts therein clearly and precisely;
• have a good knowledge of the other official language of the Council of Europe (French);
• be a citizen of one of the member States of the Council of Europe and fulfil the conditions for appointment to the civil service of that state;
• have discharged any obligation concerning national service (military, civil or comparable);
• not be the parent, child, stepchild or grandchild of a serving staff member of the Council of Europe;
• be under the age of 65 years.

Demonstrate to us that you have the following competencies: 

• Professional and technical expertise:
  • thorough knowledge of the legal system of one of the jurisdictions of the United Kingdom and ability to handle cases arising in other jurisdictions;
  • knowledge of the relevant case-law in the internal legal order.
• Drafting skills
• Analysis and problem solving
• Concern for quality
• Planning and work organisation
• Teamwork and co-operation
• Learning and development
• Communication

These would be an asset: 

• Decision making
• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Results orientation

What we offer 

In Strasbourg, you will receive a basic monthly gross salary of €5 536 (grade A1) or €7 074 (grade A2) which is exempt from national income tax. 

The deadline for applications is 26 February 2024 (midnight Central European Time).

For more information on how to apply, click the Apply button.