LR: Image one – Dr Brooke Marshall (past Peter Nygh Hague Conference intern), Nicole Sims (2020 Peter Nygh Hague Conference intern), and Katie Price (past Peter Nygh Hague Conference intern). Image two – Nicole Sims and Nicola Nygh (Special Council with Resolve Litigation Lawyers).

The Australian Institute of International Affairs, the International Law Association (Australian Branch) and the Nygh family are proud to announce that Nicole Sims has been selected to be the 2020 Peter Nygh Hague Conference Intern.

The award is made in memory of the late Hon Dr Peter Nygh and provides funding to assist a recent or final year graduate of an Australian law school to travel to the Netherlands and undertake a 6-month internship at the Hague Conference on Private International Law in the Netherlands. Nygh Interns have the opportunity to work in private international law, to observe the diplomatic process of negotiating international conventions and to monitor the practical application of existing conventions.

Nicole Sims graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of International Relations from the Australian National University in 2017. Over this time, she developed a strong interest in international law and policy. She is the 8^th Australian National University law graduate to be awarded the internship and will be the 15^th Nygh Intern to travel to the Hague.

Nicole is currently tipstaff to the Hon Justice Paul Le Gay Brereton of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. As part of her tipstaff role, she assisted Justice Brereton review and update the family law chapters in Nygh on Conflict of Laws in Australia. In doing so she developed an interest in private international law and the work of the Hague Conference.

Nicole’s work on Nygh on Conflict of Laws in Australia is particularly apt not only because of the connection with Dr Peter Nygh but also because her work at the Hague Conference will include preparing for the first Special Commission meetings to review the practical operation of the 2007 Child Support Convention and the 2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol.

Nicole will commence her internship on 13 January 2020.

For further information about the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship please see Nygh Internship. Applications for the 2021 award will close on 30 September 2020.