Internship Experience @ Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, New Delhi

This internship experience has been submitted anonymously.

Name

Anonymous

Name of the Organisation

Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, New Delhi

Duration of Internship

July 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025

How did you apply?

I have applied through email.

First-day Formalities, Infrastructure, First Impression

The very first day began with the formalities of registration. We were directed to the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee office, where we had to complete paperwork, submit identity documents, and register our names in the internship roster.

The process of making the entry pass was another experience altogether. Standing in line with several other interns and visitors, I waited patiently as the security staff took down my details, clicked a hurried photo, and handed me the coveted pass.

It wasn’t just a piece of laminated plastic—it was my key to the most prestigious judicial institution in the country. Wearing it around my neck gave me a strange sense of pride and responsibility.

Inside, everything felt larger than life. The committee staff gave us an orientation on the rules, the schedule, and our duties. We were informed about client counselling sessions, research tasks, mediation training, and the opportunity to attend court proceedings.

Listening to this, I realized that the internship would be much more than just observing cases—it was going to be a deep dive into the practical functioning of access to justice.

Main Tasks

The core component of my internship at the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was client counselling. Every day, litigants and their families would come to the Committee office with grievances ranging from criminal matters and matrimonial disputes to service issues and property conflicts.

Many of them belonged to economically weaker backgrounds and had approached the Committee because they could not afford private advocates. This made our role as interns not just academic but also deeply humane; we were often the first point of contact for people seeking justice.

My primary task was to sit with clients, note down their case details, and prepare a summary sheet that would later be passed on to the panel advocates. This required careful listening, filtering out irrelevant details, and framing the client’s narrative in legal language.

At first, it was difficult because many clients were emotional, repeated the same points, or digressed into unrelated personal stories. Over time, I learned how to politely redirect conversations, ask precise questions, and extract the information that would actually help in framing the case.

Another important responsibility was explaining the procedure of free legal aid to clients. Most people were unaware of how the Committee functioned or what kind of assistance they were eligible for. I had to brief them on the documents required, the process of application, and how panel lawyers would be assigned to them.

In some cases, I even guided them through filling up the legal aid application forms, ensuring they did not miss crucial details.

The counselling process was not always smooth. The language barrier was one of the biggest challenges. On one occasion, I dealt with a group from Tamil Nadu who neither understood Hindi nor English. The session turned into a combination of gestures, broken words, and even sketches on paper.

While it was difficult, it made me realize that counselling is not just about words; it is about showing empathy, patience, and the willingness to bridge gaps. The relief on their faces when they finally understood the next steps was immensely satisfying.

I also had opportunities to observe panel advocates during counselling sessions. Watching how senior lawyers simplified complex legal provisions into plain language was a learning experience in itself.

I noticed how they balanced being empathetic listeners with being rational advisors, and I tried to incorporate those techniques into my own interactions.

Apart from client counselling, I was entrusted with legal research assignments. Sometimes I had to look up case laws relevant to the matters being discussed, particularly in areas like family disputes, maintenance, and bail.

These research tasks gave me the chance to apply my theoretical knowledge from law school to practical scenarios. Drafting short notes for advocates also became a regular exercise, which improved both my analytical and writing skills.

We were also encouraged to attend court proceedings of cases referred from the Committee. This helped me connect the dots, seeing how the information gathered during counselling eventually played a role in shaping courtroom arguments.

It made me appreciate how crucial the initial stage of fact-finding and counselling is in the larger chain of delivering justice.

Through these tasks, I understood that client counselling was not just a clerical duty; it was the heart of the internship experience.

It was where law met human stories, where abstract principles turned into lived realities, and where an intern like me could make a small but meaningful difference.

Work Environment

The work environment at the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was both formal and welcoming. On the one hand, there was the gravity of working within the precincts of the highest court of India; rules were strict, punctuality was non-negotiable, and discipline was visible in everything from the way files were handled to how interns were expected to dress.

On the other hand, the atmosphere inside the Committee office was surprisingly approachable. The staff members, panel advocates, and coordinators were always ready to guide us, and they treated interns as part of the team rather than outsiders.

A typical day would begin with reporting to the Committee office and signing the attendance register. The office itself was always buzzing with activity; clients waiting to be counselled, advocates shuffling through case papers, and interns moving around with notepads and files.

The seating arrangements were simple but efficient. Interns usually shared desks, which created an informal camaraderie as we exchanged notes, discussed cases, or even helped each other with translations.

The interaction between interns and panel lawyers added great value to the work environment. Advocates would often allow us to sit in during counselling sessions, encouraging us to observe and later ask questions. This openness made the learning process interactive rather than hierarchical.

Even the administrative staff played an important role in shaping our experience by teaching us the practicalities of filing applications, handling client documents, and understanding procedural requirements.

Despite the seriousness of the work, the environment was never intimidating. In fact, the diversity of interns brought in a lot of humor and friendship.

Tea breaks became a time for laughter, cultural exchanges, and sometimes even debates on current legal developments. The environment encouraged collaboration rather than competition, which made it easier to grow and learn.

In short, the work environment at the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was a blend of discipline and inclusivity.

It combined the seriousness of handling real legal disputes with the warmth of mentorship and teamwork, making the entire internship both rigorous and rewarding.

Good Things about the Internship

Looking back, there were several good things about my internship at the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee that made the experience unforgettable.

First and foremost was the exposure to the Supreme Court itself. Very few internships give law students the chance to work within the premises of the apex court, observe real proceedings, and interact with advocates who handle cases of national importance. Just walking through the corridors where landmark arguments were taking place was motivating in itself.

Another good thing was the practical learning. Law school teaches statutes and case laws, but the internship taught me how the law functions in practice, how clients narrate their problems, how lawyers translate those stories into legal issues, and how those issues are then addressed in court.

Client counselling, mediation, and legal research all gave me hands-on experience that no classroom could replicate.

The guidance and mentorship we received were another highlight. Panel advocates and Committee staff were approachable and patient, willing to explain processes in detail. Their feedback helped me refine my counselling, drafting, and research skills.

Bad Things about the Internship

While the internship was a rewarding experience overall, it was not without its challenges. The first difficulty I faced was the long waiting hours.

Sometimes, client counselling sessions or court hearings would get delayed, leaving interns with very little to do for long stretches of time. Though this taught me patience, it occasionally felt unproductive.

Another issue was the language barrier during client counselling. Many clients came from regions where neither Hindi nor English was spoken fluently, which often made communication difficult. While this turned into a learning experience, it also meant that the counselling process was sometimes slower and less efficient.

The administrative formalities also had their drawbacks. Getting the entry pass every day required standing in queues and going through repeated security checks, which consumed a considerable amount of time.

Although understandable for security reasons, it could sometimes feel frustrating when you were already running late.

The limited involvement in courtroom proceedings was another point. Interns were usually only allowed to observe hearings, and active participation was minimal.

While watching senior advocates argue was educational, I sometimes wished there were more structured opportunities for interns to engage directly with the cases or drafting processes.

Monthly Stipend

No Stipend

Details about the Accommodation, Commuting to the Office

One of the most practical aspects of the internship was figuring out accommodation and the daily commute to the Supreme Court. Since I was new to Delhi, this itself felt like a mini-adventure. After hours of browsing apps and asking for recommendations, I finally managed to find a modest hotel/hostel near the Court premises.

The accommodation was simple, with basic rooms, standard hostel meals, and shared facilities. While the food was not always appetizing, it became a running joke among fellow interns that bland hostel food was a rite of passage for every law student in Delhi.

Commuting, however, was another story altogether. Navigating the Delhi Metro during rush hours was like entering a battlefield. The multiple lines, endless stairs, and the pressure of being on time for the internship made every morning commute nerve-wracking in the beginning.

I still remember the first day when I kept checking Google Maps every two minutes, terrified of missing the right interchange. Over time, though, I grew familiar with the routes, and traveling by metro even became enjoyable, sometimes offering a quiet half-hour to read case briefs or just observe the bustle of city life.

The distance between the hostel and the Court was manageable, but what really stood out was the walk from the metro station to the Supreme Court gates.

Every day, passing through those heavy security checks and flashing the entry pass reminded me of the privilege I had to be part of the institution. Even on the most exhausting days, that short walk filled me with a sense of pride.

The weekends were also opportunities to explore Delhi with fellow interns. Staying near the Court meant that iconic places like India Gate, Connaught Place, and Janpath were not too far away.

These short outings helped balance the intensity of work with moments of relaxation and friendship.

Anything else you want to share?

Speaking of mediation, the training sessions were truly transformative. We were taught that justice does not always mean victory in court; it can also mean harmony, compromise, and mutual respect. The art of listening, negotiating, and showing empathy became as important as quoting statutes.

This perspective changed my understanding of what it means to serve justice and reminded me that the law, at its core, is about people and relationships.

A special highlight of the internship was visiting the Supreme Court Museum. Far from being a static collection of dusty files, it was a modern, interactive space that showcased the evolution of India’s judicial system.

From historic documents to digital displays, the museum highlighted the journey of the judiciary through landmark cases and constitutional milestones. Standing amidst this rich history made me feel like I was part of a much larger legal tradition, one that has helped shape the very fabric of our democracy.

Looking back, the internship at the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee was far more than just a professional exercise. It was a blend of serious learning, personal growth, and unforgettable memories.

From registering my name and collecting my first entry pass to counselling clients despite language barriers, from sneaking photos in courtrooms to relishing canteen food, every day added a unique layer to my journey.

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