Since 1979, the LRC has welcomed visiting interns from all over the world. Over the years, interns have contributed to the growth of the LRC and to the achievement of the LRC’s goals and successes.

The LRC accepts applications from students who have completed at least one year (though preferably two years) of their legal studies, from lawyers and from other suitably qualified professionals.

Interns who apply for and are granted an internship from outside South Africa are considered to be volunteers.  The LRC does not pay a stipend or remunerate interns in any way. Medical insurance and/or travel insurance should be obtained prior to the intern’s departure for South Africa. The LRC does not provide any medical benefits or insurance to interns.

The work that an intern is typically involved in during their time at the LRC ranges from legal research, drafting legal memoranda, providing legal opinions, interviewing clients and assisting the LRC in preparing applications and actions.

Should you consider applying for an internship we urge you to access the information available on the LRC website. You may wish to read the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and other publications of which the Autobiography of President Nelson Mandela is a good example. 

To apply for a legal internship at one of the LRC offices, please send the below information to Delysia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Curriculum Vitae no longer than three (3) pages
• A cover letter motivating appointment. Cover letter to include a) the regional office you would like to intern in,  b) your available dates (indicating start and end dates) and c) what citizenship status you hold
• Any other supporting supporting document/s

The duration of an internship will typically be a minimum of eight weeks and not exceed six months in duration. To the extent possible, applications are strongly encouraged to be submitted at least six months in advance of the date on which you would like to start the internship.

Interns are encouraged to make prior arrangements for accomodation and transport for the duration of their stay in South Africa. You may obtain more information from the respective LRC regional office should you be accepted.

Non-legal internships

The LRC also accepts internship applications from students or professionals with an interest and/or background in fundraising, communications, marketing, management, accounting, social science research or similar field who would like to volunteer with the LRC. As with the legal internship, non-legal interns are not paid or remunerated in any way. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please send a Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter explaining your interest and background to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Click here to read what our interns say