Overview

The internship programme at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”) is designed to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with an opportunity to undergo institutional and practical experience in Arbitration and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). We aim to expose our interns to the technicalities of arbitration and ADR from an institutional and industry perspective and prepare them for a career in this field. The AIAC internship is in no way to be taken or treated as recruitment for employment at the AIAC or otherwise, but can be a decisive stepping stone in exploring career opportunities in this field.

Although the AIAC receives a great amount of interest in our internship programme from students around the world, we are constrained to limit the number of internship positions offered to interested individuals each year so as to ensure optimum results in the quality and delivery of our internship programme.

Features of Programme

1. The programme is typically performed on a full-time basis with interns expected to work five days a week from Mondays to Fridays during normal working hours between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., in the department which they have been assigned to, carrying out their tasks under the supervision of an AIAC Case Counsel.
2. Interns will be requested to undertake tasks in connection with the administration of ADR cases at the AIAC as well as ongoing projects of the AIAC, which may include, amongst others:
   • assisting in research and preparation of legal and administrative texts or studies on international/domestic arbitration;
   • assisting in the collection and analysis of case law in the field of domestic and international arbitration;
   • undertaking ad hoc legal and administrative tasks as requested;
   • assisting in drafting promotional materials as well as website and publication related content; and
   • assisting in the planning and execution of the AIAC’s projects and related events.
3. Where networking opportunities are presented throughout the duration of the internship, interns are encouraged to meet and speak to members of the ADR fraternity including the AIAC’s panel of arbitrators/ adjudicators/ mediators to enhance their knowledge and gain insight on the industry.

Completion of Programme

Before completing an internship at the AIAC, interns will be required to submit a short report between 1000 – 1500 words on arbitration or an ADR mechanism of their choice. The report should focus on the areas covered during the internship programme and highlight specific insight in that particular area with the experience they have gained as an intern in respect thereof.

Upon submission of the said report, interns are required to participate in an exit interview with their supervisor. Once satisfactory completion of the internship programme is confirmed by their supervisor, the interns will be given a Certificate of Completion.

Application Procedures

The AIAC accept students of all age, ranging from undergraduate to postgraduate levels, from Malaysia and overseas. Applicants should contact the AIAC’s Head of Human Resources, Ms. Indira Naidu at careers@aiac.world and where possible, provide the following:

• duly completed AIAC Internship Application Form;
• curriculum vitae with a passport-sized photograph;
• letter of reference from the applicant’s University, College or higher learning institution;
• preferred internship period and duration (preferred minimum of 3 months) with an indication of the preferred commencement dates between January – December;
• areas of possible research interest;
• a one-page cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in an internship at the AIAC; and
• a writing sample, preferably on arbitration or ADR-related topic.

Conditions and Qualifications Required

• applicants must either be an undergraduate or postgraduate law student and will need to demonstrate an excellent academic record;
• strong command of the English language;
• computer and IT literate;
• must have excellent organisational and communication skills; and
• knowledge of and/or exposure to ADR and/or legal profession is desirable.

Objectives

Throughout the internship period, interns will be exposed to:

• the role of the AIAC as an ADR provider in Malaysia and globally;
• the various sources of law governing arbitration, adjudication, mediation and other ADR mechanisms, particularly in the Malaysian context;
• insight into the procedural aspects of the different ADR mechanisms;
• observe and experience the practice of institutional knowledge in the conduct of arbitration, mediation and adjudication matters;
• potential opportunities, where available, to observe and experience the conduct of arbitration, mediation and adjudication proceedings;
• the pprocess involved in the passing of legislations as well as the work undertaken by the AIAC with stakeholders leading to the amendment of ADR-related legislations such as the Arbitration Act 2005, Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act 2012, and Mediation Act 2005;
• recent developments in the ADR industry;
• the role and work undertaken by law firms and parties in the filing of cases with the AIAC;
• drafting and advocacy skills;
• communication, analytical, problem-solving and organisation skills;
• participation and involvement in the work and projects carried out by the AIAC’s Young Practitioners Group (“YPG”); and
• an extensive global network of past and present AIAC interns and staff members.

How to apply?

1. Download and fill up the application form.
2. Email us with a cover letter, resume and completed form with position in the “subject” line.
3. Please submit your application to careers@aiac.world