Internship Experience @ Advocate Mandar Khandeparkar, Panaji, Goa: Yes, Gooooaaaaa!

Name of the organisation, Location (city), Team strength

Advocate Mandar Khandeparkar, Panaji (Goa), 2 people

Application process with contact Details

I called him and he gave me an appointment where I gave him my CV.

Duration, Timings

1 month [November-December 2014], Generally 9:30 to 4:30, but it depended mostly on the matters of the day. If they got over early, he would leave me early.

First impression, First day formalities, Infrastructure

He has a small and quaint office. He has a huge collection of books, including 100-year-old original AIRs. There are no formalities; Mandar sir and the junior advocate Vaibhavi are very friendly, helpful and welcoming.

Main Tasks

I would go along with them to various courts in Goa. The best thing about interning here is that sir takes up a wide range of cases (mostly civil) and not limited to one city.

I would go with them to District and Sessions Court of Panaji and Mapusa, Civil and Criminal Courts Vasco, Additional Sessions (Fast Track) Court, Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum and the Public Prosecutor office.

I would be asked to do research and look up relevant case laws and precedents. He would also assign some minor drafting of plaints, license agreements and other court documents as well as typing work.

Occasionally, I would be asked to take print outs, photocopies, go to the court and get the date and such.

Work environment, People

Very nice work environment. Sir and Vaibhavi are very warm.

They would explain the court proceedings, explain the case and concepts very patiently, and sometimes take me to see the court proceedings if an interesting case was going on especially because they were dealing with civil matters and she wanted me to witness criminal proceedings.

Best Things

I got exposure to different courts. There was never any work load or pressure and they were very encouraging. I was living very close to the Mapusa court so they would drop me home if the afternoon matter was in the Mapusa court.

And of course GOA!

Bad Things

None! The place itself is centrally located and has quite a few restaurants nearby. It is just a 5 minute walk from the sea.

Any Other Thing

An interesting thing I observed was that most of the Judges in the different courts I went to were women. The courts in Goa are worth seeing.

They are vibrant, with a lot of plants (the Civil and Criminal Courts, Panaji face the sea). The one thing that struck me were the grills that had the law balance scales on them. The atmosphere in the courts is very positive.