Internship Experience @ District & Sessions Court, Dehradun

Name

Anonymous

Name of the Organisation

District & Sessions Court, Old Survey Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand – 248001

Duration of Internship

June 2025

How did you apply?

I applied for the internship through my college. My college arranged my internship at the District Court, Dehradun.

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

My very first internship was in my first year at the District and Sessions Court, Dehradun.

The first day in court was really tough because everything was new to me. I didn’t know how the court building worked, so I had a hard time finding my senior’s chamber.

Because of this, I arrived late and got scolded by my senior. On top of that, I didn’t know that we had to wear a black coat in court, even when it was very hot.

I went without one, and my senior scolded me again. I was also barred from entering the courtrooms. I didn’t understand where each courtroom was and was also confused by the court hierarchy of ACJ, ADJ, JM, CJM, etc.

It was stressful, but that day taught me to always check the dress code and arrive early from day one.

Main Tasks

The main tasks were to read case files and go through several bare acts. I had to learn how to read a case file and figure out under which section the case was filed.

I also had to go to the courts and take the next date for cases on behalf of my senior. As I’m not very good at remembering directions, I got confused in the courtrooms many times.

But by the end of the first week, I started noting down courtroom numbers, which made the date-taking work much easier.

Work Environment

The work environment was very busy and professional. My seniors’ chamber was filled with clients and other juniors.

I observed court proceedings involving family matters and civil matters, and the environment in the courtrooms was intense. I learned about the everyday court environment, basic court etiquette, and how litigation actually worked.

Good Things about the Internship

Although my senior had a very busy schedule and limited time to teach me, I had the advantage of learning a lot from her junior.

She is a very good advocate. She was very kind and patient with me. She taught me practical skills, such as how to read case files, what court fees are, and how to draft applications for exemption and adjournment.

She also explained the process of sending summons, legal notices, and applying for certified copies. I am grateful for her guidance, as she taught me all the basics and everything she knew.

Bad Things about the Internship

As a first-year student, there were no drafting opportunities during my internship. However, I was able to observe client meetings and court hearings involving family and civil matters.

Advocates handle a high number of cases, which means interns get good exposure through observation but may not receive structured training or regular assignments.

Monthly Stipend

It was an unpaid internship.

Details about the accommodation, commuting to the office

I am a resident of Dehradun, so I commuted from home. The District Court is located near Prince Chowk, which is well connected by local autos, magic vehicles, and buses. My daily commute was around 20–30 minutes.

Anything else you want to share?

Wear proper formals daily for courtroom entry. I’d recommend this internship to first-year students who want to get familiar with court work and litigation, but don’t expect hands-on drafting work or anyone to teach you drafting from scratch.

Please read the basic CPC and CrPC before joining, as they will help you understand the hearings better.

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