How to Make the Most Out of Your Litigation Internship

For many law students, a litigation internship is the first time law becomes something you experience, not just study. It’s the moment when the judgments you’ve cited in class come alive in actual courtrooms, when sections of the IPC or CPC are applied in real-time, and when lawyers, clients, and judges interact in a way no textbook can fully capture.

But here’s the thing. Litigation internships are rarely structured. No one hands you a neat schedule of tasks. You won’t be given a handbook titled “How to Intern in Court.” In fact, your day might begin with waiting two hours in a crowded hallway, observing five minutes of a hearing, and then running to get a petition photocopied.

If that sounds chaotic, it’s because it often is. But with the right mindset, a bit of planning, and a healthy dose of curiosity, you can turn those few weeks into a genuinely transformative experience.

1. Set Your Intentions Before You Step In

Before your internship even begins, take 15 minutes to think about what you want out of it. Not every internship will offer you the same experience. So it helps to have a focus.

Here are some good goals:

• Understand how a trial court functions on a daily basis.
• Learn how lawyers manage multiple matters in one day.
• Watch at least one full argument from start to finish.
• Assist with a simple legal draft or summary.

You may not meet every goal, and that’s okay. What matters is that you walk in with a sense of purpose, not just a pair of formal shoes.

2. Treat the First Few Days Like Orientation

Expect to feel lost in the first week. That’s normal. You might not understand the court lingo, you may forget which court handles what, and you’ll probably find yourself standing awkwardly near a bench trying not to get in the way.

This is your learning phase. Just observe. Watch how your mentor interacts with clients and court staff. Listen to how lawyers present arguments. Pay attention to the cause list and how cases are taken up.

If you don’t understand something, note it down and look it up later. You don’t need to “perform” in week one. You need to absorb.

3. Understand the Courtroom Code of Conduct

Courts have their own culture. And that culture is built on discipline and decorum.

Here are some basic rules to follow:

• Dress in formals every day. White shirt, black trousers, and black formal shoes are usually safest.
• Switch off your phone or put it on silent before entering any courtroom.
• Never interrupt proceedings. If you must leave, wait for a break in the hearing and exit quietly.
• Bow your head slightly while entering or leaving a courtroom.
• Do not chat with other interns inside the courtroom, even in whispers.

Court staff, including clerks and peons, are integral to the court’s functioning. Be respectful and polite with them at all times. They often know the system better than anyone else.

4. Don’t Brush Off the Mundane Tasks

Yes, you’ll likely be asked to:

• Make photocopies of documents.
• File a vakalatnama or application.
• Go collect certified copies.
• Tag along for registry-related work.

These might seem like clerical tasks, but here’s what they teach you:

• How case files are organised.
• Which documents are required for different kinds of pleadings.
• How the filing and listing system works in practice.

Every file you touch and every trip to the registry teaches you a little more about how litigation operates. So treat these tasks with the seriousness they deserve.

5. Request to Assist With Drafting

Once you’ve settled in and your mentor is comfortable with you, ask if you can assist with some drafting work. Be polite and specific. Something like:

• “Would it be okay if I tried to draft a short summary of this matter?”
• “Can I prepare a short research note on this issue for your review?”
• “Would you like me to help with a reply or basic application?”

Even if your work is not used directly, the feedback you receive can sharpen your writing skills. You’ll also start seeing how facts are converted into persuasive legal language.

Maintain a folder of all the drafts and research notes you prepare during the internship. It becomes a great portfolio and a useful resource for future internships and interviews.

6. Watch Different Lawyers, Not Just Senior Advocates

While watching a senior advocate argue in the High Court is certainly inspiring, also spend time observing mid-level or junior lawyers in trial courts.

Trial court lawyers can teach you how to:

• Handle multiple matters in a day.
• Navigate procedural hurdles in real time.
• Work closely with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Think on their feet when surprises crop up in hearings.

If your mentor has multiple matters in different courts, ask if you can accompany them or their junior to watch different types of proceedings. The variety will help you understand the full landscape of litigation.

7. Build a Professional Relationship With Your Mentor

Your mentor is not just someone assigning you work. They’re also your window into the legal profession. So treat the relationship with care and respect.

Here’s how you can make a good impression:

• Be punctual, every single day.
• Don’t leave early unless you’ve informed them in advance.
• Volunteer to help instead of waiting to be asked.
• Be discreet about everything you see or hear, especially client details or case strategies.

At the end of the internship, send a thank-you note or email. A simple message expressing your gratitude and what you learned can go a long way.

If the relationship is positive, you can even ask if they’d be open to mentoring you in the future.

8. Maintain a Daily Court Diary

This is one of the most useful habits you can develop during a litigation internship.

Each day, write a short entry that includes:

• Name of the court and judge.
• Case name or type.
• Sections involved.
• Summary of what happened in court.
• Any interesting observation or learning.

Over time, this diary becomes your personal archive of experiences. It will help you retain what you saw, and you can revisit it when studying those same topics in class or preparing for moots.

9. Interning With a Judge? Take a Different Approach

Judicial internships offer a different kind of experience. You won’t be involved in litigation from the lawyer’s perspective. Instead, you’ll observe how judges read, analyse, and decide cases.

Your work might include:

• Preparing summaries of case files.
• Doing legal research on questions of law.
• Assisting with drafting notes or judgment outlines.

In this setting, you learn how judges approach the law. You’ll begin to see what makes an argument convincing and how the same law can be interpreted in different ways.

Always be discreet. Never discuss ongoing matters outside chambers. Treat every document and conversation with confidentiality.

10. Reflect on Whether Litigation Is Right for You

Your litigation internship is not just about learning how courts function. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on your own interests and career goals.

Ask yourself:

• Did I enjoy the energy of the courtroom?
• How did I feel about the lack of structure or predictability?
• Do I see myself managing clients, drafting regularly, and appearing in court?
• What kind of litigation work felt most engaging — civil, criminal, constitutional?

There’s no need to decide everything now. But taking stock of your experience will help you choose future internships more wisely.

Litigation internships are not always easy. The hours can be long, the work can seem small, and you might often feel invisible. But if you approach it with curiosity, humility, and persistence, you will walk away with insights that no classroom can provide.

You’ll learn how the law actually plays out in real life. You’ll understand what makes a good lawyer not just in arguments, but also in preparation and conduct. And most importantly, you’ll take your first real step into the world of legal practice.

So show up. Observe everything. Take notes. Help out where you can. Ask smart questions. And remember, this internship is not just a line on your CV. It’s the beginning of your legal journey.

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