Each year, young lawyers from around the world serve as volunteer foreign law clerks at the Constitutional Court. Working alongside two South African law clerks, each foreign law clerk assists a specific judge in performing his or her duties. The Court itself is highly collaborative, allowing for substantial engagement among clerks from all chambers.

Foreign clerks—often law graduates or researchers from other jurisdictions—assist the Constitutional Court’s justices by:

• Researching comparative constitutional jurisprudence,
• Analysing international law norms, and
• Providing contextual insights into how similar rights or legal principles are applied elsewhere.

This contribution directly supports the Court’s constitutional duty to consider such sources and enriches judicial reasoning with global perspectives.

Foreign clerks are usually only appointed to serve a judge for one six-month term. However, some may serve for one year, that is, two six-month terms, subject to agreement by the judge or may serve more than one judge.

As volunteers, foreign law clerks are not remunerated by the Constitutional Court. Therefore, it is essential that they secure their own funding to cover their expenses for the duration of the clerkship, including food, accommodation, travel to and from South Africa, visas and travel to and from work daily.

Requirements

Foreign law clerk applicants must be in possession of, at least, an undergraduate law degree. They must also be fluent in English, the primary language of the Court.

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in, and familiarity with, constitutional, comparative and international law. Academic excellence, relevant research experience, and one to two years of work experience (especially clerking for another court) are all preferred.

Substantial knowledge of South African law is not a prerequisite, but familiarity with South Africa’s history and contemporary affairs is highly valued.

Application Process

Applications by foreign clerks are considered on a rolling basis between November 2025 and June 2026. It is recommended that foreign clerks submit their applications well in advance - at the very least, no later than seven months before their intended start date. Two groups of law clerks begin work at the Constitutional Court each year. The first group starts in January, and the second group starts in July. Foreign applicants should indicate their preferred starting group (including the year).

Applications must include the following:

• A one-page cover letter that describes the applicant’s interest in the Court’s work and includes a proposed start date (or range of start dates) for which he or she would like to be considered, noting the clerk group intake dates specified above;
• A full curriculum vitae, no more than 4 pages;
• Copies of all post-secondary academic records (unofficial transcripts are permitted);
• A legal writing sample of approximately 6-12 pages which demonstrates critical legal analysis and is written solely by the applicant; and
• Letters of recommendation relating specifically to this opportunity from at least two contactable academic and / or professional referees (indicating their names, email addresses and telephone numbers).

Applications should be submitted using the following online form – https://forms.gle/T3AWPZjQdHLgbGNe7.

Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within three months of your application, it is likely that your application has not been successful.

Queries can be directed to foreignclerks@concourttrust.org.za.