Internship Experience @ Office of Advocate Yudhvir S. Thakur

Name

Anonymous

Name of the Organisation

Office of Advocate Yudhvir S. Thakur, 4th Floor, High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Ravenswood, Shimla – 171001, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Duration of internship

July 2023

How did you apply?

I secured this internship through a family connection, as the advocate under whom I interned was a close acquaintance of my father.

Being in my second semester, it was also my very first internship experience, and I entered it with high expectations and considerable enthusiasm. In retrospect, the experience did not entirely align with what I had envisioned.

A significant part of this was due to my own lack of preparedness and understanding of how legal internships function. Looking back, directly beginning my internship at the High Court level may have been an ambitious step for someone with a very limited practical exposure.

Much of my time was spent observing court proceedings and listening to arguments, with relatively limited involvement in substantive legal work.

Nevertheless, the experience provided valuable insight into courtroom practice and helped me understand the importance of building a strong foundation before aspiring to more advanced litigation exposure.

First-Day Formalities, Infrastructure, and First Impression

The internship began without any significant formal induction or orientation. However, my first impression of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh was overwhelmingly positive. The infrastructure was impressive, well-maintained, and reflective of the dignity associated with a constitutional court.

During the internship, I had the opportunity to observe proceedings in various courtrooms, including that of the Honorable Chief Justice. Watching live arguments and courtroom interactions was a fascinating experience, especially as the proceedings were primarily conducted in English.

That said, being only a second-semester law student, I often found myself struggling to keep pace with the legal discussions and procedural aspects of litigation. Most professionals around me interacted at a much more advanced level, and there was limited guidance tailored to someone at my stage of legal education.

While the experience was initially overwhelming, it ultimately highlighted the importance of building strong fundamentals before seeking higher-level litigation exposure.

Main Tasks

To be candid, I was assigned very few substantive tasks during the course of the internship. Most of my time was spent observing court proceedings and sitting in the chamber rather than actively participating in legal work.

As a first-year law student, I had hoped to receive at least some basic guidance, research assignments, or exposure to drafting, but such opportunities were largely absent.

In hindsight, I believe one reason for this was the manner in which I obtained the internship. Since I joined through a personal connection, I often felt that I was treated more as a familiar face than as an intern seeking to learn.

There is a saying that strangers are tested while acquaintances are trusted; in my case, I sometimes felt that neither happened. I was not challenged, supervised, or entrusted with meaningful responsibilities.

While I gained exposure to courtroom proceedings, much of the learning had to be self-directed, and I often found myself trying to make sense of the experience on my own.

Work Environment

The work environment was formal, fast-paced, and largely geared towards experienced practitioners. As a first-year law student, I often found myself navigating unfamiliar territory.

Conversations revolved around complex legal issues, procedural nuances, and litigation strategies that were far beyond what I had studied at that stage of my legal education.

There was an expectation that one would learn by observing rather than through active guidance or structured mentoring. While this approach may work well for senior students, it proved challenging for someone who was still developing a basic understanding of legal practice.

Consequently, much of the internship involved independently trying to connect courtroom proceedings with concepts learned in class.

Although the environment was not particularly accommodating for beginners, it exposed me to the realities of litigation at an early stage. The experience was demanding and, at times, overwhelming, but it ultimately taught me the value of self-learning, persistence, and adaptability in the legal profession.

Good Things about the Internship

The most valuable aspect of this internship was the reality check it provided at a very early stage of my legal education.

While the experience was not what I had initially expected, it gave me a clearer understanding of the profession and the mindset required to succeed in it. I learned that the legal field is highly demanding and that one cannot always expect guidance, reassurance, or constant supervision.

People are often occupied with their own responsibilities, and as an intern, it is important to take initiative rather than wait for opportunities to be offered.

This experience taught me the importance of being proactive, independent, and accountable for my own learning. Another significant takeaway was understanding the level of discipline, dedication, and perseverance required in the legal profession.

More than anything else, the internship helped me identify areas where I needed to improve and motivated me to work harder on my legal knowledge, communication skills, and overall professional development. In that sense, it served as an important foundation for my future internships and career.

Bad Things about the Internship

One of the more challenging aspects of the internship was the absence of structured guidance for a student at such an early stage of legal education. As a first-year law student, I often found myself navigating an unfamiliar environment without much mentorship or direction, which made the learning process considerably more difficult.

A particular incident that stayed with me occurred during a court proceeding when I politely requested an advocate seated beside me to shift to another chair so that I could manage the files I was carrying. The response was unexpectedly stern, and I was reminded that I was speaking to an advocate.

Although the interaction was brief, it left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that the legal profession commands a deep sense of respect and that courtroom culture can be far more formal and hierarchical than a newcomer might anticipate.

Another difficulty was overcoming my own hesitation. I entered the internship expecting that people would guide me if I appeared lost, but I soon realized that the profession demands initiative and self-reliance.

While these experiences were difficult at the time, they offered important lessons about professionalism, confidence, and personal responsibility.

Monthly Stipend

It was an unpaid internship.

Details about the accommodation, commuting to the office

Since the High Court was located only about 30 minutes from my residence, I did not require any separate accommodation and was able to commute comfortably on a daily basis.

For students coming from outside Himachal Pradesh, areas such as New Shimla, Sanjauli, and Chhota Shimla are convenient options for accommodation during the internship period.

These localities offer a range of PGs, hostels, and rental accommodations and are reasonably well connected to the High Court premises. It is advisable to arrange accommodation in advance, particularly during the peak tourist season in Shimla.

Anything else you want to share?

If I were to summarize this internship, I would say that it taught me more about myself than about the law.

As a first-year law student stepping directly into a High Court environment, I arrived with curiosity, expectations, and perhaps a little naivety. What I encountered instead was a profession that is rigorous, fast-moving, and largely indifferent to one’s comfort zone.

Initially, I viewed this as a disappointment; however, with time, I came to regard it as one of the most valuable lessons I could have received so early in my legal journey.

The internship taught me that the legal profession rewards initiative more than intention, resilience more than hesitation, and preparation more than potential.

No one is obliged to guide you, notice you, or create opportunities for you. In many ways, the experience was a mirror rather than a map. It did not tell me where to go, but it showed me who I needed to become.

Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would simply observe the proceedings, walk through the court premises, and reflect on the years of dedication that every successful advocate standing there had invested in reaching that position. That perspective alone was enough motivation to keep learning.

Looking back, the internship may not have been the experience I expected, but it was undoubtedly the reality check I needed.

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