African internship for law students

Four of the University’s students have undertaken internships at one of Nairobi’s leading public interest litigation and constitutional reform organisations.

Josie Hebestreit, Hannah Greep, Thomas Ikin and Jack Pankhurst, all students in the School of Law and Politics, worked at the Katiba (Constitution) Institute carrying out research relating to East African Land Law and Constitutional Law.

The students prepared reports to help the Institute’s lawyers with their legal arguments, attended the Nairobi law courts and were invited to the University of Nairobi to give a talk about the pro bono work they are doing at Cardiff’s Law and Global Justice clinic.

They also met with individuals in the legal profession and legal academic community across Nairobi and attended an academic workshop on care labour at the British Institute in Eastern Africa.

The internship was organised by Professor Ambreena Manji and Professor John Harrington of the School, and funded by the University’s Global Opportunities Programme.

Professor Harrington said: “Josie, Tom, Hannah and Jack have been wonderful ambassadors for the University and the School of Law and Politics. They are true world citizens, learning from lawyers and fellow students in Kenya about law in practice and human rights. We were delighted when our colleagues in Kenya wrote to us to commend Cardiff’s Law and Global Justice internship programme.

“At a time when British lawyers are looking beyond the regional context in order to develop and renew links in diplomacy, trade and aid around the world, placements like this help our students to develop as global lawyers ready for practice and service in the UK and beyond.”

Jack Pankhurst, one of the students undertaking the internship said: “Of all the wonderful opportunities at Cardiff University, this project has been the most inspiring and enriching. My internship in Nairobi was a unique chance to work among the lawyers, judges and scholars who are effecting change.”