Bar Council of England and Wales & Ukraine National Bar Association Internship Scheme

The Scheme

As well as causing untold misery and destruction, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is also hindering the career development of young Ukrainian lawyers. With an aim to provide support to young Ukrainian lawyers at this difficult time, and to foster links and relationships between the Bar of England and Wales and the Ukrainian Bar, the Ukraine Internship Scheme was developed.

A pilot of this scheme has successfully taken, with Valeriia Lada, a top young lawyer from Ukraine, spending 6 weeks at Church Court Chambers in London where she carried out a number of tasks such as legal research and drafting as well as attending hearings in a range of different courts.  

An article about the scheme and Valeriia’s participation in it can be found here https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/an-interview-with-ukrainian-intern-valeriia-lada.html

The pilot was run by Chair of the Young Bar of England and Wales and the Ukrainian National Bar Association who promoted the pilot to young lawyers in Ukraine.  56 candidates applied for the pilot and the UKNBA put forward the three best candidates from whom Valeriia was chosen as the first intern.

We would now like to expand this scheme across the Bar and place further your lawyers with Chambers in England and Wales so that we can do our bit to assist the young lawyers of Ukraine and form long lasting friendships with the Ukrainian Bar.

Further Information

Length:                4-6 weeks

Role:                    Working with barristers in chambers, taking notes in court, undertaking research etc

Pay:                      Stipend of £250/week (those coming under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme have employment rights in the UK)

Candidates:          Young lawyers from Ukraine within 7 years qualification who are not subject to compulsory military service. Most candidates have significant experience working in a legal environment and can undertake work to a high level.

Accommodation: Bar Council to seek to find accommodation from those barristers who have put themselves forward as hosts.

Administration:  Michael Polak will administer the scheme in relation to the selection of interns and their placement with Chambers as well as acting as a contact for the Ukrainian lawyers whilst they are in the United Kingdom.