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For law students and new advocates · Free to apply

Law Internships with Advocates

The Intern Hub lists internship and junior advocate openings posted by advocates whose enrolment Mara Vakil has checked. This guide explains what the Bar Council rules require of law students, the kinds of internships and what each teaches, what interns actually do in a chamber, how to keep a useful diary, conduct in court, stipend and safety, and how advocates can post openings.

  • Free for students, always
  • Openings only from approved advocates
  • Every posting checked before it goes live
Intern HubFree for students. Openings from enrolment-checked advocates.

Browse current internship and junior advocate openings and apply in two minutes. Advocates with an approved profile can post openings from their dashboard.

Browse internship openingsAdvocates: post an opening

Applicants must be 18 or older. Read the internship terms.

Law internships on Mara Vakil: the short version

  • Openings come from checked advocates. Only advocates whose Mara Vakil profile has been approved can post internship or junior advocate openings, and every posting is read by our team before it goes live.
  • Applying is free. No student is ever asked to pay Mara Vakil, and advocates must not ask for money to give an internship.
  • You deal directly with the advocate. Work, timings, duration and any stipend are agreed between you and the advocate. Mara Vakil passes your application on and does not act as employer.
  • Applicants must be 18 or older. You can track or delete your application and CV with your application ID and mobile number.
  • Check your college's rules. The Bar Council of India's legal education rules require law students to complete internships during the course, and colleges set their own reporting formats.
  • Advocates can post openings free from their dashboard after approval.

How to apply for an internship through the Intern Hub

  1. Open the Intern Hub. Go to the Intern Hub and look through current openings by city, court and type of work.
  2. Read the posting carefully. Note the advocate's courts, the period, the expected hours and whether a stipend is mentioned.
  3. Prepare a short CV. One page: college, year, subjects you enjoy, moot or research work, languages, and any earlier internships.
  4. Write a two-line note. Say why this advocate's practice interests you and when you are available. Specific beats generic.
  5. Submit and save your ID. Keep the application ID; with your mobile number it lets you check status or withdraw.
  6. Confirm terms before you start. When the advocate contacts you, agree dates, timings, place, tasks and any stipend in writing, even a short message.

What the Bar Council rules expect from law students

The Rules of Legal Education, 2008, framed by the Bar Council of India, make internship a compulsory part of the law degree. As commonly applied, students on the five-year course must complete at least twenty weeks of internship and those on the three-year course at least twelve weeks over the course of their studies. Internship in a year is generally not to run continuously for more than four weeks, and every student is expected to intern at least once with trial and appellate advocates.

Rules and university regulations change, so confirm the current requirements with your college.

Choosing internships year by year

There is no single correct sequence, but students who plan their internships tend to graduate with a clearer sense of where they want to practise. This is one sensible way to spread them across a five-year course; three-year students can compress it.

StageGood optionsAim
First and second yearLegal aid clinics, NGOs, a district court chamberSee how ordinary people meet the law and how a court day runs
Third yearTrial and appellate advocates, family or criminal practiceLearn procedure, drafting basics and how hearings work
Fourth yearHigh Court chambers, tribunals, corporate or regulatory work, courts' own internship schemesTest an area you might specialise in
Final yearThe kind of chamber or office you would like to joinBuild a relationship that may lead to a junior position

Whatever the sequence, try to intern somewhere you can be given real work. A month spent drafting and attending court with a busy advocate is worth more than a longer stay with little to do.

Making your application stand out

Lists of senior advocates willing to take interns

Rule 26 of Schedule III to the Bar Council of India's Rules of Legal Education, 2008 asks each State Bar Council to prepare district-wise lists of advocates with at least ten years of practice who are willing to take law students as interns, and asks the Bar Council of India to publish those lists and share them with law schools. For years such lists were hard to find. A law student, Neeraj Salodkar, took the matter to the Supreme Court in a writ petition against the Bar Council of India, and in orders passed in 2024 the Court asked State Bar Councils to report whether they had complied with Rule 26 and to explain any non-compliance.

If your State Bar Council has published such a list, it is a useful starting point, particularly for students outside the big cities. Check your State Bar Council's website or ask your college's internship committee. The Intern Hub works alongside these lists: it shows current openings that enrolment-checked advocates have actually posted, with dates and details, so you can apply straight away.

Kinds of internships and what each teaches

WhereWhat you mostly learn
Trial court chamberHow cases actually move: filing, summons, evidence, cross-examination, bail hearings and the rhythm of a district court day
High Court or appellate practiceWrit petitions, appeals, written submissions, case law research and oral arguments before benches
Family court practiceMatrimonial petitions, maintenance, custody, mediation and the human side of litigation
Criminal practiceFIRs, bail, chargesheets, trials and the new criminal codes in daily use
Consumer and tribunal workPractice before commissions and tribunals with their own procedures and timelines
Corporate and transactional workContracts, due diligence, company filings and regulatory compliance
Legal aid and NGOsAccess to justice, legal literacy camps, jail visits and work with vulnerable clients
Judges and courtsHow judgments are researched and written, through internships offered by courts under their own schemes

Most students benefit from mixing at least one litigation chamber with one other setting before deciding where to begin practice.

What interns do in an advocate's chamber

Interns cannot appear or plead in court, sign pleadings or give legal advice to clients; those are for enrolled advocates.

Keeping a useful internship diary

A good diary is more than a college requirement. Written well, it becomes your own reference for procedure and drafting long after the internship ends.

  1. Date and court. Record each day's court, bench and matters attended.
  2. What happened. The stage of each matter, what was argued and what order was passed.
  3. What you did. Research questions, drafts prepared and filings observed.
  4. What you learned. A point of law or procedure you did not know before.
  5. Questions. Anything to ask the advocate at the end of the day.
  6. Signature. Have the advocate sign or initial entries regularly if your college requires it.

Never record client names or confidential details in a diary you will submit; use initials or case types instead.

Conduct and dress in court as an intern

A realistic week as an intern in a trial court chamber

Students often arrive for a first internship with no idea what the days will look like. Every chamber is different, but a week with a busy district court advocate who handles civil, family and criminal matters tends to follow a pattern like this one. Use it to set your expectations, not as a promise of what any particular advocate will offer.

Monday: learning the files

The morning starts in the chamber, often a small room near the court complex, before the courts sit at ten. The advocate or a junior hands you the week's cause list and the files for matters listed that day. Your first job is simply to read: the plaint or complaint, the reply, the last few order sheets. By the time you walk to the courtroom you should know what stage each case is at. In court you will mostly wait. Matters are called in the order of the list, and many are adjourned in a minute or two. Note every next date and every direction in your diary. In the afternoon, the advocate may ask you to prepare a one-page note on a file listed for Wednesday.

Tuesday: a first draft

Expect to be handed a drafting task: an application for exemption from personal appearance, a short reply to an application, or a list of dates for a new matter. The first draft will come back covered in corrections. That is the point. Compare your version with the corrected one and write down what changed: the order of facts, the tone, the prayer clause, the verification. Most interns improve faster from three heavily corrected drafts than from a month of watching.

Wednesday: evidence day

If a matter is listed for evidence, sit close enough to hear the cross-examination. Notice how questions are framed to get short answers, how an advocate avoids asking a question whose answer they do not know, and how objections are recorded. In criminal courts, you may see a witness identified, documents exhibited and the statement of the accused recorded. Write down the exhibit numbers; they will matter when the final arguments are drafted.

Thursday: registry and filing

Ask to accompany the clerk or junior to the filing counter or the e-filing desk. You will learn how a paper book is arranged, how court fees and process fees are paid, how defects are marked and cured, and why an index and page numbers matter. This unglamorous work is where many new advocates lose days, so learning it as an intern is a real head start.

Friday: research and review

Fridays are often lighter in court. Use the time to finish research questions from the week, update the chamber's case diary, and ask the questions you saved up. A short end-of-week conversation with the advocate, ten minutes about what you did and what you could do better next week, is worth requesting politely.

Saturday

Many district courts sit on some Saturdays or hold Lok Adalats, and many chambers meet clients on Saturdays because people cannot leave work during the week. If you are invited, go. Watching an experienced advocate take instructions from a nervous client is one of the most useful things an intern can see.

What the week adds up to

By the end of a week like this, a good intern can read a file and say where the case stands, has seen a hearing, an evidence session and a filing, and has had real drafts corrected. That is more than most classroom terms teach about procedure. Ask the advocate at the end of the first week what they would like you to focus on next, and adjust your plan.

For more on how hearings and stages work in each kind of case, read the civil cases guide, the criminal cases guide and the family law guide.

A four-week plan for a vacation internship

Most internships happen during college vacations and last about four weeks. Setting yourself a goal for each week helps you come away with real skills rather than a certificate alone.

WeekFocusBy the end of the week, aim to
Week 1OrientationKnow the chamber's courts and clerks, read ten files end to end, and be able to explain the stage of each matter listed that week.
Week 2DraftingHave at least three drafts corrected by the advocate and a personal list of drafting corrections to avoid repeating.
Week 3Court and registryHave followed one matter through a hearing with notes, watched evidence or arguments in full, and seen a filing from start to finish.
Week 4Research and wrap-upHand in a research note the advocate can use, complete your diary and report, and ask for honest feedback and, if it went well, whether you may return.

Before you leave, return every file, delete any client documents from your phone or laptop, and thank the clerk as well as the advocate.

Getting the most from a High Court or appellate internship

Appellate chambers work differently from trial courts. There are fewer witnesses and more paper. The work centres on reading lower court records, finding the error in a judgment and persuading a bench through written and oral submissions.

Our legal news page explains common High Court terms such as notice, stay, admission and remand.

Drafting tasks you are likely to get, and how to approach each

Interns are rarely asked to draft a complete plaint or appeal in their first week. They are asked for smaller documents that support the main pleadings. Knowing what each one is for makes the first draft far better.

List of dates and events

A chronological table of what happened, with dates, a one-line description and a reference to the page of the document that proves it. Advocates use it to grasp a case in minutes and courts often require it with appeals and writ petitions. Tips: one event per row, exact dates where known, neutral wording, and every row backed by a document. Leave out arguments; they belong elsewhere.

Synopsis

A short narrative, usually one or two pages, telling the story of the case and the question to be decided. It should read easily aloud. Start with who the parties are and what the dispute is about, move through the key facts in order, and end with the legal issue and the relief sought.

Applications during a case

Applications for adjournment, exemption from appearance, condonation of delay, amendment of pleadings, or bringing documents on record. Each follows the same plan: the court and case title, a short reference to the main case, the facts that make the application necessary, the legal basis, a prayer saying exactly what order is wanted, and a verification or supporting affidavit. Look at an old application from the chamber's files to see the local format.

Legal notices and replies

A notice sets out the facts, the legal basis of the demand, what the recipient must do and by when, and what will follow if they do not. A reply answers each paragraph, admitting what is true and denying the rest, and adds the sender's own case. Avoid threats that cannot be carried out and keep the tone firm but professional. The legal notice service and reply service pages explain what clients usually expect.

Affidavits

Sworn statements of fact, in numbered paragraphs, in the first person, ending with a verification that distinguishes what is true to the deponent's knowledge from what is based on information or legal advice. Keep each paragraph to facts the deponent can actually swear to. See the affidavit service for the common types.

Research notes

A short memo answering one question: the question itself, the short answer, the relevant provisions quoted exactly, the leading judgments with citations and a sentence on each, and any contrary view. Put the answer first. Advocates read research notes between hearings and need the conclusion before the detail.

Bail applications

Interns often help prepare these in criminal chambers. The essentials are the FIR details and sections, the date of arrest, the custody period, the grounds (nature of allegations, role of the accused, antecedents, roots in society, period in custody, progress of investigation), and an undertaking to comply with conditions. The bail process guide sets out the stages.

Habits that make every draft better

A research method that will not let your advocate down

The fastest way to lose an advocate's trust is to hand over a judgment that has been overruled, or a section that was amended last year. The fastest way to earn it is a short, accurate note that answers exactly what was asked. Here is a method that works whether you have access to paid databases or only free sources.

  1. Restate the question. Write the question in one sentence and check it with the advocate before you start. Half of all wasted research comes from answering the wrong question.
  2. Start with the statute. Find the current text of the Act and rules on India Code, the government's official repository of central laws, or the State's official website for State laws. Note the date of the version you are reading.
  3. Check amendments and commencement. A section may have been amended, substituted or not yet brought into force. Old textbooks and websites are often out of date on this.
  4. Find the leading recent judgment. A Supreme Court ruling from the last few years usually reviews the earlier law on the point. Read it in full from the court's own website.
  5. Work backwards and forwards. Follow the cases it relies on to understand the principle, then search for anything later that has followed, distinguished or overruled it.
  6. Look for the local view. If the matter is in a State court, check whether that State's High Court has ruled on the point. A local ruling often matters more in practice than one from another High Court.
  7. Note both sides. Record judgments that go against your client too. The advocate needs to know what the other side will cite.
  8. Write the answer first. Then the provisions, then the cases with full citations and a one-line summary each, then any doubts.

Free sources worth bookmarking

Mistakes interns commonly make

Our legal news page explains how to read a judgment and what terms such as ratio, obiter and per incuriam mean, which is useful background for any research task.

Stipend, safety and your rights as an intern

Full terms are in the internship terms.

Skills worth building during internships

Reading a bare Act

Definitions first, then the operative section, provisos and explanations. Check amendments and the commencement date.

Finding judgments

Start from a recent Supreme Court decision and follow its citations backwards; confirm nothing later has overruled it.

Drafting plainly

Short paragraphs, dates in order, one idea per paragraph and a clear prayer at the end.

New criminal codes

Know both old IPC and CrPC numbers and their BNS and BNSS equivalents; files carry both for years.

Court procedure

Learn the stages of civil and criminal cases and what each hearing is for.

Listening to clients

Note facts accurately and separate what the client knows from what they believe.

The Intern Hub also has quick links to bare Acts, drafting templates, important judgments and a short quiz. The legal guides explain common processes in plain English, and the IPC to BNS table there is a handy reference.

From intern to junior advocate

After graduation, a law graduate enrols with a State Bar Council and must pass the All India Bar Examination to receive a certificate of practice. Many young advocates begin by joining a senior's chamber as a junior. The Intern Hub carries junior advocate openings as well as internships. When you join a chamber, agree how matters will be assigned, whether you may take your own clients, and any monthly retainer. Joining Mara Vakil yourself is free once you are enrolled; see how advocate registration works.

For advocates: posting an opening

  1. Log in to your dashboard. Only approved advocates can post. Your name and enrolment number appear on the posting.
  2. Describe the opening clearly. Courts, type of work, period, hours, city and any stipend. Avoid words such as "best", "top" or "guaranteed".
  3. Review applications. Applicants' details come to you and are for considering them only. Treat applicants fairly and delete their data when no longer needed.

Postings are checked by our team before they go live. Do not use an opening to advertise for clients, which Bar Council rules do not allow.

Preparing for an internship in a particular area of law

A few hours of reading before your first day changes how much you understand in court. These are the essentials to revise for the most common practice areas, with our plain-English guides as a starting point.

Criminal practice

Revise the stages of a criminal case from FIR to judgment, the difference between cognizable and non-cognizable and bailable and non-bailable offences, the rights of an arrested person, and the kinds of bail. Keep a conversion table of old and new code sections in your diary. Read the criminal law guide and the bail guide.

Family practice

Know the main personal laws on marriage and divorce, the grounds for divorce, mutual consent procedure, maintenance under the different statutes, custody principles and protection under the domestic violence law. Family courts emphasise mediation, so watch how settlements are explored. Read the family law guide and divorce guide.

Civil and property practice

Revise the stages of a civil suit, pleadings, issues, evidence and decree, the basics of limitation, injunctions, and the documents that prove title to property: sale deeds, mutation entries and encumbrance records. Read the civil law guide and the property law guide.

Consumer practice

Learn who is a consumer, how the pecuniary limits decide the commission, the time limit for complaints and what reliefs can be claimed. Consumer commissions often see parties appearing in person, which is instructive to watch. Read the consumer law guide.

Corporate and commercial work

Revise company law basics, the structure of common contracts, and the stages of a commercial suit with its stricter timelines. In transactional offices, expect due diligence: reading many documents carefully and listing issues. Read the corporate law guide.

Labour and service matters

Know the four labour codes in outline, the rules on termination and dues, and the internal committee process for sexual harassment complaints. Read the employment guide.

Tax practice

Understand the notice and assessment cycle for income tax and GST, appeal routes and time limits. Tax practice is research-heavy and suits students who enjoy close reading. Read the tax law guide.

Cyber and technology

Revise the IT Act, the reporting routes for cyber fraud, and how electronic evidence is proved under the new evidence law. Read the cyber law guide.

Intellectual property and arbitration

For an IP internship, revise the basics of trademarks, copyright and patents, the registration process and what infringement and passing off mean; much of the work is searching registers and drafting replies to examination reports. For arbitration, learn how an arbitration clause works, how a tribunal is constituted, and the limited grounds on which courts set aside awards. See the trademark registration service for how filings work in practice.

Wills and succession

Know how a valid will is made, when probate is needed, succession certificates and legal heir certificates. Read the wills and succession guide.

Interning in different cities and courts

Where you intern shapes what you learn. A busy metropolitan district court teaches volume and speed; a High Court teaches research and argument; a smaller town court often gives interns more responsibility because chambers are smaller. Here are a few practical notes on the larger legal centres. The Intern Hub lets you filter openings by city.

Delhi

Delhi has several district court complexes spread across the city, as well as the High Court and the Supreme Court. Interns can see a very wide range of work, from criminal trials and family matters in the district courts to writ petitions and commercial suits in the High Court. Distances are long, so an internship with an advocate whose courts are close together saves hours of travel each day. Our Delhi guide lists the courts and what each handles.

Mumbai

The Bombay High Court has an original side for civil suits in the city, which gives interns exposure to a distinctive procedure. City civil courts, small causes courts for tenancy, family courts and many tribunals are also concentrated in the city. See the Mumbai guide.

Bengaluru

Alongside the Karnataka High Court and the city civil and sessions courts, Bengaluru has a large volume of commercial, technology and property work, and many apartment and builder disputes. See the Bengaluru guide.

Chennai

The Madras High Court also has an original side, and Chennai has strong traditions of civil and constitutional practice. Knowing Tamil is a real advantage in the city's trial courts. See the Chennai guide.

Kolkata

The Calcutta High Court, the oldest in the country, has an original side as well. Old tenancy and property matters are common in the city's courts. See the Kolkata guide.

Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Lucknow

Each of these cities has a High Court or a High Court bench nearby, active district courts and specialised tribunals. Interns in these cities often get more drafting work and client contact than in the largest metros. See the guides for Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Lucknow.

Smaller towns

Do not overlook a district headquarters near your home. A senior advocate in a smaller court may let you sit in on client meetings, prepare files from start to finish and watch every stage of a trial. Many respected advocates began this way.

Practical points for any city

Online and research-only internships

Since courts began hearing matters by video, some advocates offer online internships in which students research and draft from home and join virtual hearings. These can be useful, especially for students in places far from a court, but they teach a different set of skills from an in-person chamber.

What online internships do well

What they cannot replace

A sensible approach is to treat online internships as an addition to in-person ones, not a substitute. Check whether your college accepts online internships towards the required period before you start.

Making an online internship count

Red flags: internships to avoid

The demand for internship certificates has created a market for offers that teach little and sometimes cost money. Watch for these signs.

Every advocate who posts on the Intern Hub has a profile approved after an enrolment check, and every posting is read before it goes live. If anything about an opening seems wrong, report it to help@maravakil.in or through the grievance process.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

Asking these politely at the start avoids most misunderstandings later. A reasonable advocate will not mind.

Write down the answers, or confirm them in a short message, so that both of you remember what was agreed.

Looking after yourself during internships

Internships can be tiring. Long waits in crowded courts, travel across a city, and the pressure to impress are real. A few practical points help.

Health and energy

Carry water and something to eat; court canteens are not always close. Court corridors are crowded in summer, so plan for the heat. Take breaks when the court rises for lunch. If you are unwell, tell the advocate early rather than simply not turning up.

Money and travel

Budget for travel and food before you accept an unpaid internship in another city. Shared accommodation near the court, arranged through classmates or college seniors, often costs less than travelling long distances daily.

Personal safety

Share your internship address and the advocate's contact details with someone at home. Avoid isolated meetings outside office settings. If anyone behaves inappropriately, you are entitled to complain, and the law on sexual harassment at the workplace protects interns. You can also report it to Mara Vakil through the grievance process; for emergencies, call 112.

Disability and accessibility

If you need an accommodation, such as seating, accessible routes in the court complex or extra time for tasks, raise it with the advocate at the start. Many court complexes have improved access, and a frank conversation usually leads to practical solutions.

Perspective

No single internship decides your career. If a placement is not working, finish it courteously if you can, learn what you can, and choose differently next time.

Words you will hear in the chamber and corridor

Court staff and advocates use a working vocabulary that no textbook explains. Knowing these terms on day one saves embarrassment.

TermWhat it means in daily practice
Cause list or boardThe list of cases a court will take up on a given day, published the evening before.
Item numberA case's position on the cause list. "We are at item 23" tells you roughly when it will be called.
PassoverA request to take a case up later in the day, usually because the advocate is busy in another court.
MentionRaising a matter briefly before the court out of turn, often to ask for urgent listing.
VakalatnamaThe signed authority from the client that lets the advocate file papers and argue in that case; it goes on the court record.
BriefThe file and instructions given to an advocate for a matter; also used loosely for the case itself.
Paper bookThe bound, indexed and paginated set of documents filed in an appeal or petition.
Process feeThe fee paid for the court to issue summons or notice to the other side.
DastiPermission to serve a notice by hand, through the party, in addition to the court's own service.
CaveatFiled in advance by someone who expects to be sued or appealed against, so that no order is made without first hearing them.
Ex parteWhen a party stays away after being duly served, the court may go ahead and decide without them.
Order sheetThe running record of what happened at each hearing, kept in the court file.
Certified copyA copy stamped and attested by the court's copying branch; appeals and many applications need one rather than a photocopy.
Fresh matterA newly filed case appearing before the court for the first time.
Regular matterA case that has been admitted and is waiting for its turn for final hearing.
Munshi or clerkThe advocate's clerk who handles filing, listing, copies and much of the practical work in the registry.

The clerk is often the best teacher an intern has for registry work. Treat them with the same respect you show the advocate.

Mistakes interns make in the first few days

Internships with courts, tribunals and public bodies

Besides advocates' chambers, some courts, tribunals, commissions and government legal departments take interns under their own schemes. These placements show how decisions are researched and written from the other side of the bench, which is valuable for anyone planning a litigation career or thinking about the judicial services.

Each body sets its own eligibility, application window and process, and they change from year to year, so check the official website of the court or body directly. Applications usually need a recommendation letter from your college, a CV and sometimes a writing sample. Expect strict confidentiality rules and limited direct contact with parties.

Legal services authorities at district, State and national level also involve students in legal aid work, legal literacy camps and help desks, which can be combined with your college's clinic programme. Read about who is eligible for free legal aid to understand the work these bodies do.

Writing your internship report and building your CV

The internship report

Most colleges ask for a report or a diary at the end of each internship. Treat it as a record of what you learned rather than a list of days. A structure that works for most formats:

  1. Introduction. The advocate or office, the courts and the period, and what you hoped to learn.
  2. Nature of the practice. The kinds of matters the chamber handles, described in general terms.
  3. Work done. Research questions answered, drafts prepared, hearings attended and filings observed, without client names.
  4. Two or three matters in detail. Choose cases that taught you something, describe the stage, the legal question and what happened, using initials or case types.
  5. Procedure learned. A short account of a stage of a case you now understand, such as framing of charge or the recording of evidence.
  6. Reflections. What surprised you, what you would do differently, and what you want to learn next.
  7. Certificate and signed diary. Attached as your college requires.

Keep confidential details out. A report that names clients or discloses strategy in a pending case can embarrass the advocate and, in some cases, harm a client.

Your CV

A law student's CV is read quickly, often between hearings. One page is usually enough until your final year. Put the most relevant information first.

Avoid inflated titles, long lists of certificates from short online courses, and photographs unless asked for. Check spelling twice; a careless CV suggests careless drafting.

Experience beyond the chamber

Internships are the core of practical training, but other experiences build skills that advocates notice.

After the degree: enrolment, the Bar exam and your first year

Enrolment with a State Bar Council

To practise, a law graduate must enrol with the Bar Council of the State where they intend to practise, under the Advocates Act, 1961. The application usually needs degree and mark sheets, proof of identity and address, photographs, affidavits in the prescribed form and the enrolment fee. Some State Bar Councils also ask for a certificate from a senior advocate or a verification of character. Check the current requirements on the State Bar Council's website, as forms and fees change.

The All India Bar Examination

A certificate of practice follows only after the newly enrolled advocate clears the Bar Council of India's national Bar exam, commonly called AIBE. The exam is open-book in the sense that bare Acts without notes are allowed, and it tests practical knowledge of core subjects. Students in their final year can now take the exam under the Bar Council's current rules, but check the latest notification for eligibility before you register.

Choosing your first chamber

Your first senior matters more than your first salary. Look for someone who has a steady flow of work in the kind of practice you want, who gives juniors real responsibility, and who is known for honest dealings with clients and courts. Internships are the best way to find such a person. Many juniors are offered a place by an advocate they interned with.

Money in the first years

Monthly payments to juniors vary widely between cities and chambers, and some offer only a modest amount at first. Discuss it openly at the start, along with whether you may take your own briefs. Keep a small reserve if you can; the first two or three years of practice are often lean.

Rules that bind you from day one

Building a practice

Most advocates build their practice through referrals from satisfied clients, colleagues and seniors. Being reliable about dates, returning calls and explaining things clearly does more than anything else. Mara Vakil helps by routing client requests in your practice area and city to your dashboard once your profile is approved, without commission on your fees, and gives you a free case diary and a court group. Read how advocates get clients and how registration works.

For advocates: running an internship that helps both of you

A good intern can save a busy advocate hours each week, and a well-run internship is how many chambers find their future juniors. A little structure makes the difference.

Before the intern arrives

In the first week

Through the internship

Your obligations

Ending the internship well

Issue the certificate promptly in the format the intern's college needs, stating the period and the nature of work honestly. A brief written note of feedback, two or three strengths and one thing to work on, is something most interns keep for years. If the intern did good work, say so and tell them whether they may return or apply as a junior later. Ask for their feedback too; interns notice what makes a chamber easy or hard to learn in.

Posting on the Intern Hub

Once your Mara Vakil profile is approved, open your dashboard and choose to post an opening. State the courts, type of work, city, period, hours and any stipend. Our team reads each posting before it goes live. Applications reach your dashboard, and you can contact applicants directly. Not yet on Mara Vakil? Join free after reading how registration works.

What you can do on the Intern Hub

Advocates see only the applications sent to their own openings. Mara Vakil does not sell or share applicants' data with anyone else.

A note for parents of law students

If your son or daughter is starting internships, a few points may reassure you. Internships with practising advocates are a normal and required part of legal education in India. Most are unpaid or carry a small stipend, and the value lies in the training rather than the money. Long hours around hearings are common, but a reputable advocate will agree working hours and will not ask the student for money.

On the Intern Hub, only advocates whose profiles have been approved after an enrolment check can post openings, and our team reads each posting first. Encourage your child to share the internship address and the advocate's details with you, to agree terms in writing, and to tell you if anything feels wrong. Students can report concerns to help@maravakil.in at any time.

Myths about law internships

Myth: Only big law firm internships count.

A well-run trial court internship often teaches more about practice than any other, and the rules expect at least one.

Myth: Paying for an internship is normal.

It is not acceptable on Mara Vakil, and you should report anyone who asks.

Myth: Interns can argue small matters.

Only enrolled advocates can appear and plead.

Myth: The certificate is all that matters.

Colleges increasingly look at the diary and what you learned, and future employers ask about real work done.

Frequently asked questions about internships

Who can apply on the Intern Hub?

Law students and new advocates aged 18 or older.

Does it cost anything to apply?

No. Applying is free and advocates must not ask for payment.

Who posts the openings?

Advocates whose Mara Vakil profile has been approved after an enrolment check.

Is Mara Vakil my employer during the internship?

No. The internship is between you and the advocate; Mara Vakil only passes on the application.

Will I get a stipend?

Only if the advocate offers one. Agree the amount and payment dates before starting.

How many weeks of internship do I need?

As commonly applied under the BCI rules, at least twenty weeks for the five-year course and twelve for the three-year course, but check your college's rules.

Can I check my application status?

Yes, with your application ID and mobile number on the Intern Hub.

Can I delete my application and CV?

Yes, at any time from the Intern Hub.

Can interns wear an advocate's band?

No. Bands and gowns are for enrolled advocates.

What if I face harassment during an internship?

Complain to the office's internal committee or the district local committee, and report it to Mara Vakil through the grievance process.

Are junior advocate openings posted too?

Yes, alongside internships.

How do advocates post openings?

From their Mara Vakil dashboard after approval; each posting is checked before it goes live.

What will I actually do in my first week?

Mostly read files, attend court with the advocate, note next dates and directions, and attempt one or two small drafts such as an exemption application or a list of dates.

Is a list of dates the same as a synopsis?

No. A list of dates is a table of events with dates and document references; a synopsis is a short narrative of the case and the question to be decided.

Do online internships count towards the BCI requirement?

That depends on your college, which certifies internships. Ask before you start.

Is it normal to pay for an internship?

Paying an advocate for an internship is a warning sign. Advocates on Mara Vakil must not ask interns for money.

Should I intern in a big city or my home town?

Both have value. Big-city courts teach volume and variety; smaller courts often give interns more responsibility and client contact.

Which free websites are best for legal research?

India Code for statutes, the Supreme Court and High Court websites for judgments, the eCourts portal for case status, and the Gazette for notifications.

How do I check that a judgment is still good law?

Search for later judgments that cite it and check whether a larger bench or the Supreme Court has overruled or doubted it.

Can I take the Bar exam in my final year?

Under recent changes final-year students have been allowed to appear, but check the Bar Council of India's latest notification for eligibility.

Can an internship lead to a junior position?

Often. Many advocates offer junior positions to students who interned with them and did good work.

What should I read before a criminal law internship?

The stages of a criminal case, bail provisions, arrest rights, and the old and new criminal code section numbers.

Can interns attend client meetings?

Only if the advocate allows it and the client agrees. Everything heard there is confidential.

What should an advocate include in an internship posting?

Courts, type of work, city, period, hours and any stipend, without words such as "best" or "top".

How long is a typical internship?

Most vacation internships last about four weeks, though some advocates take interns for two weeks or for longer periods.

What does a munshi do?

The advocate's clerk handles filing, listing, copies and much registry work, and is a valuable teacher for interns.

Can I photograph documents or proceedings?

No. Photography in courtrooms is generally not allowed, and client documents must not be copied to personal devices without permission.

What should my internship report contain?

The chamber and period, work done, two or three matters described without client names, procedure learned, reflections and the signed certificate or diary.

Do courts and tribunals offer internships?

Some do under their own schemes. Check the official website of the court or body for eligibility and application windows.

Is a High Court internship better than a trial court one?

Neither is better in itself. Trial courts teach procedure and evidence; High Courts teach research, drafting appeals and argument. Most students benefit from both.

Do State Bar Councils publish lists of advocates who take interns?

Rule 26 of Schedule III to the BCI Rules of Legal Education, 2008 requires district-wise lists of advocates with ten or more years of practice willing to take interns. Check your State Bar Council's website or your college.

Lawyers in other cities

Courts, local laws and practice differ from city to city. Read the guide for another city:

Related services:

Practice area guides:

Free tools:

Guide: How to find a lawyer in India · Post your case online

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This page gives general information about Indian law as of 15 October 2026. It is not legal advice and is not an advertisement or solicitation by any advocate, as restricted by Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules. Laws and court practice change, and the right answer depends on your facts; confirm the position for your case with an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm. Read our disclaimer.

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