The ACWL’s Secondment Programme: Reflections by Three Former Seconded Lawyers

Abstract

The Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL’s) Secondment Programme for Trade Lawyers provides government lawyers from developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and additional theoretical training in WTO law. Since 2005, about fifty government lawyers from ten different LDCs and eighteen different developing countries have participated in the Secondment Programme. This article reviews the criteria for participation in the Programme and the selection process. It also reviews feedback from former participants, and notes that the vast majority of former seconded lawyers continue to work for their governments, and have found the work experience and skills gained from the Secondment Programme have contributed to their government’s capacity to understand and manage WTO issues. They also found that their participation in the Programme enhanced their professional development and career advancement. The article reviews the individual reflections of three former junior counsel from India, Malawi and Viet Nam who joined the Secondment Programme in 2014–2015, and found the experience to be enriching. ACWL, WTO law, international trade law, disputes, training, junior counsel, ACWL lawyers, Secondment Programme, government officials