Bochum International Humanitarian Law Clinic

The next Bochum IHL Clinic will take place in the Summer term 2025:

Dates: 14 April 2025 - 30 June 2025, see the schedule below for dates and times

The “Bochum International Humanitarian Law Clinic” (Bochum IHL Clinic) is designed to provide students with hands-on experience of the practice of international humanitarian law (IHL). The course empowers students to learn through practical experience by applying theoretical knowledge to real life situations and corresponding legal problems humanitarian actors encounter in their day-to-day work.

They will conduct research on projects for real life cooperation partners, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), national Red Cross Societies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and other actors in the humanitarian field. This may include the preparation of litigation before national or international courts, writing expert opinions to support NGO lobby work as well as drafting treaty language or legal handbooks for partner institutions. Students may also contribute to supporting victims of armed conflict in securing reparations or file communications to judicial and non-judicial institutions on their behalf.

Participating in clinic work also permits students to acquire and develop skills in research, critical thinking, legal analysis, and problem solving. Additionally, students enhance their abilities to draft texts, give oral presentations, communicate, as well as organize and improve their social skills.

The Bochum IHL Clinic is looking for interested and motivated students of law or related fields, who are willing to work in a team of five to ten students and are determined to contribute to one of the Clinic projects. They will join students from the Joint Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action (NOHA Master) and the European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA).