Internship Experience @ District Court, Chandigarh

This internship experience has been submitted anonymously!

Name

Anonymous

Name of the Organisation

Chandigarh District Court, Sector 43, Chandigarh

Duration of Internship

July 2025

How did you apply?

Got this internship through the college.

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

On the very first day of the internship, we were taken directly to a courtroom where the advocate told us that it deals with matters under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque bounce cases). It was our first exposure to how a courtroom actually looks and functions.

There was no formal orientation, but we were given basic instructions about court manners, observing proceedings, and learning by watching. The infrastructure of the District Court is fairly basic, functional but crowded.

There are multiple courtrooms, a lot of paperwork, and constant movement of lawyers and clients. The environment was overwhelming at first but gave a real glimpse into the practical side of legal work.

Main Tasks

As a first-year law student, my primary role during the internship was to observe and learn. I spent most of my time watching court proceedings, especially cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

I carefully observed how lawyers framed arguments, how evidence was presented, and how cross-examinations were conducted. On some days, I assisted in organizing case files, noting down next hearing dates, and understanding the procedure for filing documents.

The advocate also explained the background of certain cases, which helped me understand the practical application of legal concepts.

Though I was not given any drafting work, I was encouraged to ask questions and make notes. The experience helped me understand how courtrooms function on a day-to-day basis and the importance of preparation and presence of mind for a practicing advocate.

Work Environment

The work environment during my internship was both educational and light-hearted at times. The District Court was busy and full of activity, with multiple courtrooms, lawyers hurrying between hearings, and clients waiting anxiously. Initially, it felt a bit overwhelming, but I gradually adjusted.

The advocate I interned under was approachable and gave us the freedom to observe different proceedings and ask questions. The other interns and juniors were also friendly, and we often shared observations and laughed over confusing moments in court.

One funny moment that stood out was how we used to jokingly ask around, “Does anyone want chai?” during breaks. One of the advocate’s assistants replied with a grin, “Kachairi aake chai nahi peeni to kya faida?” It lightened the mood and made us feel more comfortable in what was otherwise a serious setting.

Overall, the environment encouraged learning but also gave space to build informal bonds. It helped me see that even in a formal space like court, people find ways to stay connected and keep the stress manageable.

Good Things about the Internship

One of the best things about this internship was the practical exposure it gave me. Before this, I used to think that practicing law in real life would be extremely difficult and intimidating, and that the court environment would be very rigid and serious all the time.

But after attending live proceedings daily, my perception completely changed. I saw that while the courtroom is formal, it is not as strict or frightening as I had imagined. In fact, judges often speak politely, and I even witnessed light moments where a normal joke or laugh was exchanged between the advocate and the judge.

This made the atmosphere feel more human and less robotic. The advocate I interned under was very supportive and allowed us to observe different types of cases, especially under Section 138.

He also explained basic concepts and court procedures whenever we had doubts. The experience boosted my confidence and made me feel like I could actually fit into this profession.

Overall, the internship helped me shift from just studying the law to actually understanding how it works and made me more excited about pursuing a legal career.

Bad Things about the Internship

While the internship was a good learning opportunity, there were a few drawbacks. One major issue was the lack of structured guidance in the beginning. There was no formal orientation or daily plan, so as a first-year student, I initially felt confused about what to observe and how to contribute. Most of our time was spent just watching proceedings.

Another limitation was that we didn’t get any hands-on work like drafting, researching, or assisting with case files. This was partly because there were five interns from our college under the same advocate, which made it difficult for him to assign individual tasks to everyone. While observing was useful, I sometimes felt I could have learned more by doing something practical.

Also, the long waiting hours in court could be tiring, especially when hearings were delayed or brief. Many of the cases we saw were cheque bounce matters under Section 138, which became repetitive after a point. Lastly, as beginners, we couldn’t always understand the technical terms or the fast pace of arguments.

Still, despite these minor issues, the internship gave me valuable exposure and helped reduce my fear of courtrooms.

Monthly Stipend

No Stipend

Details about the accommodation and commuting to the Office

Since the internship was in the District Court, Chandigarh, and I live nearby, I did not require separate accommodation. I used to commute daily from home to the court, which was manageable and convenient.

I usually travelled by local transport or shared rides with fellow interns from my college. The court is located in Sector 43, which is well connected and easy to reach.

The daily commute gave me a routine and helped me adjust to a professional schedule. However, on some days, the court got over early or had delays, which meant waiting longer or adjusting travel plans. Still, since I was not staying in a hostel or PG during the internship, it was cost-effective and comfortable for me overall.

Anything else you’d like to share?

This internship turned out to be a lot more than just observing court proceedings. I made new friends, not just from my own college but also from other institutions like Chandigarh University and UILS, who were also interning at the District Court. Talking to them helped me understand how students from different colleges prepare and approach internships, and it really helped me broaden my network.

One major lesson I learned is that practicing law in real life is not as hard or scary as I used to think. Watching proceedings closely, I saw that judges are polite, sometimes even sharing small jokes or light moments with lawyers. It broke the formal image I had in my mind.

Whenever we got a break, we used to chill out by having chai with fellow interns, and one line that always stuck with us was an assistant saying, “Kachairi aake chai nahi peeni to kya faida?” It became a running joke and lightened up the experience.

Overall, this internship helped me become more confident, expand my network, and gave me a better idea of what legal practice actually looks like.

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