External Relations Unit

Tasks of the Legal Service:

• To provide legal advice to the Institution, its organs and its General Secretariat and represent it in litigation proceedings before the Courts of the European Union as well as national courts.

Description of the External Relations Unit:

• The Unit is responsible for legal assistance to the committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Development and the committee on International Trade, to the sub-committees on Human Rights and on Security and defence, as well as to the Parliament's delegations. It also assists other units in the context of international agreements, in particular from the point of view of the interpretation of Article 218 TFEU.

• This work consists mainly in:
  • giving legal advice in the legislative procedure and in the procedure for the conclusion of international agreement in these committees, but also in the context of delegated acts and implementing acts, as well as in the context of other decision making procedures in both committees and delegations;
  • representing the Parliament in court in these fields.

• By joining our Unit, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the legislative work as well as the scrutiny of international agreements and observe at close quarters by taking part in preparations for drawing up and negotiating EU legislation and positions on international agreements that may have a major impact on our daily lives. In addition, you will be involved in the handling of litigation cases falling within the Unit's remit and attend a hearing before the Union courts.

Description of tasks entrusted to trainees:

• Assisting the Unit’s lawyers and Head of Unit by:
  • drafting legal notes under the instructions of the lawyers of the unit;
  • undertaking research work (doctrine, jurisprudence) and
  • preparing files (documentation, analysis).
• Attending parliamentary committee meetings and other meetings;
• Attending a plenary session in Strasbourg and a hearing before the Court of Justice;
• Any other task relating to the daily work of the Unit’s lawyers.

Place of work: BRUSSELS

Selection criteria:

• Law Degree - preferably Master 2
• Language skills: English and French