legal internships in the Netherlands

Choosing a legal internship in the Netherlands

During a legal internship, you could research a case, review an agreement or help a team understand a compliance issue. At a law firm, the work centres on clients’ legal questions. In-house, you see how legal advice shapes decisions within an organisation. Exploring these settings can help you discover which area of law you want to pursue.

Your legal knowledge and the work

The legal system matters as much as the subject. A role involving Dutch law may call for different course knowledge from one focused on international work. Language matters too: research, client conversations and legal documents may require Dutch even when you browse in English. The vacancy explains which study background and languages the employer needs. If you study abroad, ask how your programme fits those requirements.

Space to develop your skills

Feedback on your research and draft documents helps you develop your legal reasoning and writing. Look at the tasks you would take on and who you would learn from. For a graduation project, discuss how your research would fit alongside the team’s work. Hours, duration and allowance differ between placements, so compare the details of the roles that interest you.

To explore another field, browse internships in the Netherlands and find a placement that fits your studies and interests.