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INTERNSHIP POLICY – BU, SCHOOL OF LAW (SOL)

Pursuant to BCI PART IV RULES OF LEGAL EDUCATION

SCHEDULE II:

Rule 24. Moot court exercise and Internship:

SCHEDULE III

Rule 25 Minimum Period of Internship

Rule 26 District-wise list of Senior Lawyers willing to guide students under

internship

Rule 27 Formal Dress Code during internship

This policy shall be called the School of Law, Bennett University “Internship and Placement Policy”

To bridge the chasm between the theory and practice thereby transforming learners as legal

professional with a practical experience having requisite skills to excel at bar and bench.

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Vision:

Applicability:

The rules shall have a prospective effect.

Definitions:

1.

2.

the internship program

3.

organisation

4.

5.

6.

7.

The rules are applicable to the internships of the students of five-year integrated course of BBA LLB

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(Hons) and BA LLB (Hons) and three year LLB programmes in the future.

Absent during internship means the fact of not being in the Organisation where the intern is

usually expected to be during their internship program.

Academic Mentor is a designated faculty for an intern, to monitor and supervise throughout

Attendance means being present as per the rules and regulations of the internship

BCI is Bar Council of India

BU-SOL is Bennett University - School of law

Dress Code as mentioned in the BCI rules or Internship Organisation prescribed

Indemnity means security against or exemption from legal responsibility for one's actions.

Indemnity is a contractual obligation of intern (indemnitor) to compensate the loss occurred

to the Bennett University (indemnitee) due to the act of the indemnitor or any other party.

8. IPC is internship and placement committee headed by the Dean and assisted by the Faculty

and the Student Committees

9. Internship Diary means a document which mentions the day to day tasks assigned and tasks

accomplished by the intern in the Organisation during the entire tenure of internship, which

shall be submitted for evaluation. Student shall collect the Internship Diary from IPC as per

their notifications.

10. Internship Report is a summary of the work undertaken and the learning experiences of the

student during their internship tenure

11. Internship Supervisor [or Industry Supervisor] is a designated member of the Organisation

for an intern, to monitor and supervise throughout the internship program and renders the

feedback on their performance at the end of the internship period in their organisation.

12. Mandatory Undertaking is a sworn statement in writing especially made under oath or

affirmation signed duly by the student and countersigned by their parents.

13. Misconduct means any kind of personal and professional wrongful, improper or unlawful

conduct and includes minor and gross misconduct motivated by wilful, premeditated or

intentional purpose or by obstinate indifference to the consequences of the action that causes

serious and imminent risk to the health, safety of any person; reputation, viability or

profitability of the University and the Organisation, entails to be inconsistent with the

continuation of the internship program in such semester where misconduct has been proved

and further refrains that intern from future IPC activities.

14. Organisation means a place of work for internships and placements and includes NGO’s,

social organisations, governmental organisations, local bodies, legislative bodies, law

practitioners, judicial offices, corporates, law firms, market regulators etc.,

15. Placement means securing a job in a suitable organisation.

16. SIPC is student internship and placement committee comprises of Convenor, eight members

(senior students) along with other supporting eight members (junior students) in total 17

members. This is subject to expansion based on future needs.

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17. Supplementary internship is the backlog internship which a student is mandated to complete

apart from current internship for a period of 4 weeks along with the submission of internship

diary, viva and internship report, which is to be submitted to IPC within the first week of

reopening of college.

18. Viva -voce is oral examination in which the intern answers the questions in an interview with

the Examiner. It is an evaluation criterion to understand the effectiveness of the internship

program

CONSTITUTION OF IPC:

1. The Dean – School of Law in consultation with the Faculty will constitute the IPC consisting

of

Head-Placements and two other faculties as members and a ‘Student Committee’ comprising of

a Convenor with eight student members along with other eight supporting student members and

as many volunteer as may be required for efficient working of Internship related activities, who

shall be selected as per the criteria announced the IPC.

2. Student aiding and assisting in the working of IPC shall be conferred with certificated of

appreciation based on their involvement and performance.

3. Functions of Internship and Placement Committee : the IPC shall

• Assist and facilitate the process of internships and placements to students in

various Organisations depending on their areas of interest.

• Assist in identifying new internship opportunities for the students; • Provide

appropriate orientation regarding internships; and • Mediate in case of any

issues with the internships.

4. Selection criteria for internships: The CGPA score / attendance percentage / co-curricular

achievements / publications etc., shall be considered for prioritising the choice of internship.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

5. IPC shall announce the period of Internships in the academic calendar at the commencement

of each academic year.

6. IPC will endeavour and assist in obtaining one (1) internship of four (4) weeks. Any student

desirous of undertaking more than one internship can do so on their own arrangement.

7. Students are also encouraged to procure their own internships subject to the rules and

guidelines framed herewith. Such procurement should be after furnishing the details to IPC

and with prior intimation and written consent of the Dean.

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8. IPC shall notify the criteria and the requisites for the submission of internship preferences

and the students should adhere to the same.

9. Student are encouraged to follow the pattern of internships semester wise as follows:

• First Year: Civil Society Organisations, Public Policy Think tanks, Research Centres at

Law institutes, and Legal Services authorities etc.

• Second Year: Advocates / Law firms into Trial Court practice and district courts,

Electronic Legal Repositories, LPOs etc.,

• Third Year: Tribunals, Regulatory bodies, Law firms, Legislatives Committees,

Advocates practicing at the Appellate Level, High court Clerkship, Legal wing of Political

Party, Legal reporting at Media Houses, Electronic Legal Resource Analysis, Student

Research Assistantship, Registry of a Court or a Tribunal, practical law application

projects undertaken in association with the School of Law, law reforms commission etc.,

• Fourth Year: Law Firms, Corporates, PSU’s and Regulatory Bodies, SC clerkship, any

other places of law in action or litigation and management, etc.,

• Fifth Year: depending on the area of interest and the career progression the student can

intern in an Organisation of their choice like Law Firms, Corporates, Regulatory Bodies,

Judicial Offices, Supreme Court and High Court Judges, Advocates, etc.,

The teaching assignments, legal publishing, work from home and information

technology-based activities do not qualify as an internship experience as they are not

of practical mandate in the context of Internship.

10. The students should submit their details in a template provided by IPC indicating their

location preferences and once they have applied through IPC if they deny to join the

organisation then the student shall be barred from any assistance from IPC for 2 years.

11. By participating in the process itself, as mentioned in Clause 14, it shall be considered as

student has consented to take internship as provided by IPC.

12. IPC can decline to send the applications to any of the Organisations, and can do so after

seeking the approval of the Dean and the student shall be communicated accordingly if it is

their preferred choice.

13. The communication between the IPC, interns and the Organisation are treated as confidential

and shall not be misused in any form. Misuse of communications/confidential information

by any student shall bar them from participating in the future internship process. IPC is the

only point of contact for all the information pertaining to the internships.

14. The student desirous of internship with any Organisation through their own contacts, can do

so by submitting the complete details of such organisation to the IPC and with a written

consent of the IPC convenor. The SOL shall not recognize any internship undertaken without

the prior written consent from the IPC Convenor if it is not approved /arranged / sponsored

by the IPC.

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15. IPC will endeavour internship for students and allocate the internships based on their CGPA,

availability, career interest, and other criteria based on fair and reasonable criteria at the

discretion of IPC in consultation with the Dean.

16. If any student could not get the preferred internship, IPC shall support with alternate options.

If IPC is of opinion that the preference of the student does not match with their areas of

interest, then the IPC shall have the discretion to procure appropriate internship.

17. Non-compliance of any of the directions and instructions by IPC during the internship shall

bar the student from participating in the internship process for next three years .

18. Every student whether taking internship through IPC or on their own have to carry hard copy

of their resume and letter of recommendation at the day of joining and any additional

document, if required by the organisation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

AFTER ALLOCATION OF INTERNSHIPS

19. Knowledge about the Organisation: The selected students should equip themselves with

the necessary information about the nature of work, the organisation, its culture and should

get acquainted with the Organisational expectations from the intern, to optimize their

learning during the short span of internship program.

20. Extension of Internship Period: The Internships are planned during the vacation and if a

student intends to continue beyond the vacation period, prior written consent from the Dean

recommended by the IPC should be obtained. The decision of the Dean in this regard shall

be final and binding. Such extension shall not be the deemed attendance in calculating the

minimum attendance requirement of seventy percent (70%).

DURING INTERNSHIP PERIOD

21. Academic Mentor: IPC, for each student shall allot an Academic Supervisor to monitor

their internship program by constantly communicating with the Organisations. Without

prejudice to generality, Academic Mentor shall be responsible for advising the students on

academic issues; advising the students on other non-academic difficulties faced by them;

advising and monitor their internship performance; communicating to their parents and

guardians if there is a need on any issue; appraising the Dean on any matters which deems

fit.

22. Student shall send a first week preliminary report to the academic mentor without any delay

on his part.

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23. Comply with the Policies and Procedures: During the internship period, the student shall

comply with and follow all the directions and instructions and abide by the conduct and

behavioural norms of the Organization. And comply with the policies, procedures and

internal security measures etc., of the Organisation. The intern shall carry the identity cards

of the Organisation, if provided any.

24. Misuse of Information and other Resources: the Intern shall maintain the confidentiality

of information of the Organisation and its processes, its employees, clients. The intern shall

use the resources of the Organisation appropriately and responsibly.

25. Misconduct: The Misconduct is as defined in definition clause 14 of this Policy. The interns

are considered to carry the goodwill and image of the School and the University and their

conduct shall have a bearing on the reputation of the School and the University. Intern should

not involve in any discrimination and harassment at workplace. Any unprofessional

behaviour, indiscipline and misconduct by the intern shall be viewed seriously and shall Bar

them from further participation in IPC activities. Along with the internship application the

student shall submit an Mandatory Undertaking/ Indemnity Bond’ signed by the student and

counter signed

by the parents of such student declaring that they shall be solely responsible for any

consequences attributable to the misconduct of the student during the period of internship.

26. Attendance and Working Hours: The intern shall strictly abide by the working hours and

office timing rules of the respective Organisations.

27. Absence: Any absence during internship other than ill health or serious family issues is

discouraged and shall be recorded in the internship diary and shall be communicated to the

academic mentor. The intern should inform appropriately to the Organisation for any

absence and take necessary approvals, if required. If an intern could not attend to the office

for more than two (2) days, shall also inform the IPC accordingly and should state the reasons

for such absence. The number of days of absence shall extend the period of internship by

such days to complete the internship program, if such absence is not attributable to any

exigency conditions.

28. Dress Code: The students shall conform to the formal dress code as prescribed by the BCI

or the Organisation of the intern.

29. Internship Diary: The intern on a day to day basis shall record the details of the work

undertaken for the entire internship program in a designated book called as Internship diary.

At the end of internship, the student shall have to submit the diary along with the internship

report to IPC for evaluation and viva-voce.

30. Internship Report: The Internship report to be submitted within one week of the the date

of reopening of the University to the to the Academic Mentor summarising the tasks assigned

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and tasks accomplished and the learning experience from their internship program, in a

prescribed format given by IPC, which shall be evaluated.

31. Internship Certificate: Student shall obtain an internship completing certificate and the

copy of the same has to be attached along with Internship Report.

EVALUATION OF INTERNSHIP

32. Every student shall complete a minimum 20 weeks of internship as per BCI Mandate.

Duration of Internship should not be more than a period of four weeks at any given point

during their course of five years to award the final degree.

33. The students should undertake a minimum twenty (20) weeks of internships during the ten

(10) semesters of five years integrated course. All such internships undertaken by the

students throughout their course of five years shall be evaluated year wise as a four credit

(4) paper of 100 marks.

34. The intern shall submit to IPC the Work diary, Internship Report and the form within a

period of one week from the date of reopening of University.

35. During the Viva Voce exam, the expert panel shall evaluate the internship diary and

internship report,- to assess the effective participation and learning of the intern during their

internship program, and award marks and grades accordingly as a semester-end result in the

specified semester.

EVALUATION PARAMETERS OF INTERNSHIP

36. Viva Voce: An Expert Panel shall take viva-voce on the basis of, Internship diary, Internship

Report and Internship Certificate and the work done during the internship to assess the

effective participation and learning of the intern during their internship program. The marks

and grades awarded during such assessment shall be the end semester result of the internship

program.

37. The following is the pattern of evaluation of the internship program comprising of four (4)

credits and 100 marks:

Internship Diary: 20 marks

i. Total Numbers of Entries

ii. Format

iii. Manner of recording the events and facts

iv. Authentication by Internship Supervisor

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Internship Report and Internship Completion Certificate: 30 marks i.

Originality

ii. Compliance with format along with Internship Certificate

iii. Research and Analysis

iv. Writing skills

v. Conclusion and Learning Outcomes

Presentation of Final Report and Viva- Voce: 50 marks

i. Format

ii. Analysis

iii. Clarity

iv. Presentation

v. Response to Questions

38. The passing marks in the internship programme is 50% of the Maximum Marks.

39. As mentioned in Definition Clause 17, students who failed to secure the passing grade in

Internship shall have to repeat by undertaking the internship again, hereby known as

Supplementary Internship. IPC will not assist these students further in securing the same.

However, assistance may be provided in the internship of current semester.

40. Delay in reporting:

a. Any reporting as herein above mentioned relating to Internship shall be submitted in

time and manner notified by the IPC. Where the reporting has to be done in two or

more stages, each stage date shall be counted as separate submission dates.

b. If students do not report as herein in above on the notified date, late reporting shall

attract the penalty in following manner

i. Deduction of half a mark per day for the first three day;

ii. One mark per day for the fourth and fifth day from the total marks scored

by the student in the concerned course.

c. In computing the number of days above, last date of submission shall be excluded.

d. No reporting shall be accepted after the fifth day from the notified date of submission,

and the student shall receive no marks the respective component.

Explanation: Reporting includes submission of Preliminary report as per Clause 25, internship

diary and internship report as per clause 12, or any other directions issued by IPC.

INTERNSHIP DIARY AND FINAL REPORT CONTENT

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I. Internship Diary:

a. Day to day entries in the nature of following:

i. Nature of Work ii.

Tasks Assigned

iii. Tasks Accomplished iv.

Learning Outcome

v. Personal Observations

II. Internship Report

a. Name

b. Year

c. Internship Organisation

d. Certificate of Internship Given by the Organisation to be enclosed

e. Index stating the content of the

f. Acknowledgement

g. Declaration that the work is original signed by the intern

h. Page of Abbreviations

i. Research work undertaken

j. Annexures of cases and work done

k. The Font Size should be 12 Times New Roman with 1.5 line Spacing.

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Note: For your reference a format for final internship report is will be provided by IPC. You are

required to adhere to this format strictly.

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P OLICY A MENDMENTS

The Dean in consultation with the IPC shall amend, alter, repeal and add the provisions to

the above - mentioned policy subject to approval of Academic Council.

MANDATORY UNDERTAKING FROM STUDENT FOR INTERNSHIP

We herewith accept the allotment to pursue internship at ………………….………

………………………………………………………………..(Name of organisation) from

………………(date) to……………..(date).

I, ………………………………………….. (name of student), herewith declare to accept and agree with the

Internship Policy of School of Law, Bennett University (hereinafter ‘Internship Policy’) either within or outside

the internship organization during the period of my internship.

I further take the complete responsibility for my behaviour during internship and I assure that I will not directly

or indirectly involve in any of the situations that may interfere with the internship policy.

School of Law, Bennett University has taken utmost care in giving requisite comfort and security at the

workplace. However, the ultimate responsibility of conduct and due diligence rests upon me and I will be

solely responsible for omission and commission of any act.

Signature :

Date:

Student Name:

Enrolment Number:

MANDATORY UNDERTAKING FROM STUDENT FOR INTERNSHIP

We herewith accept the allotment to pursue internship at ………………….………

………………………………………………………………..(Name of organisation) from

………………(date) to……………..(date).

I………………………………………….. (name of student) herewith declare that I accept and agree with the

Internship Policy of School of Law, Bennett University (hereinafter ‘Internship Policy’) either within or outside

the internship organization during my period of my internship.

I further, take the complete responsibility for my behaviour during internship and I assure that I will not directly

or indirectly involve in any of the situations that may interfere with the internship policy.

School of Law, Bennett University will take utmost care in giving requisite comfort and security at the

workplace. However, the ultimate responsibility of conduct and due diligence rests upon the interning student

and they will be solely responsible for omission and commission of any act.

Signature :

Date:

Student Name:

Enrolment Number: