Internship @ State Legal Aid Services Authority West Bengal, Kolkata

Name of Organisation, Location, Team Strength

Legal Aid Services, West Bengal , Kolkata. I was called to report at Flat No. 30, 1st floor, Karnani Estate, 209 A.J.C Bose Road, Kolkata-700017.

The team was composed of 9 Co-Interns and Retd. Justice D.K. Basu who used to allot us work on a daily basis.

Application Process

You can send your CV at laswebwb@yahoo.com, elucidating as to why you want to intern under them (include what you expect from the organisation after you leave the internship office).

I sent the soft copy of the CV and a recommendation letter. I got a reply in a week or so.

Duration of internship and timings

I interned for a period of one month i.e. from 5th May to 5th June 2014.

We were expected to reach the office by 12 noon sharp and were expected to work till 5:30 or 6 pm.

First impression, first day formalities, infrastructure

The office was filled with the law journals and books pertaining to law which portrayed a professional outlook. There was no resource left out. In a nutshell, you had access to anything and everything.

On the first day of my internship, I was made to talk to Retd. Justice D.K. Basu, a humble and august personality.

He acquainted me through a landmark judgement in the history of legal aid movement in India with a special emphasis on the role of various non-governmental organizations and civil society groups in providing pro bono legal aid and other rights-oriented services to the poor and the marginalized.

The office had a reception and one working area for the interns, beyond which there was Retd. Justice D.K. Basu’s office.

Main tasks

I had examined 25 cases relating to property disputes, loan matters, varied matrimonial litigation and domestic violence.

I had opportunities to visit following courts in session to witness various types of civil and criminal proceedings: Calcutta High Court, City Civil Court, Family Court and the Court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Kolkata.

Moreover I had prepared a power point presentation on The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and worked on projects in relation to PIL, Indian Evidence Act.

Work environment and people

The work environment was amazing and well-off.

The staff was really helpful and you could go to them anytime with your doubts. Contemporary issues pertaining to law were often discussed.

The co-interns were friendly and co-operative.

Best things

Internship at LASWEB helped me in improving my research skills. The research projects which were assigned to me were hell engaging.

Bad things

I have nothing bad to say about LASWEB.

Stipend

No stipend

Biggest Lessons Here

Knowledge was being catered and you had to really be all ears to truly receive what was being imparted.

The experience was entirely knowledgeable and I got to learn a lot.