INTERNSHIP REPORT
SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICE COMMITTEE
25TH APRIL 2023 - 10TH MAY 2023
PREPARED BY
AYSHA LUKMAN
LAW INTERN
9TH SEMESTER BBA LLB (HONS.)
GOVT. LAW COLLEGE KOZHIKODE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.No
TITLE
PAGE NO:
1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3
2
SUPREME COURT LEGAL
SERVICE COMMITTEE
4-5
3
INTERNSHIP WORK
6-7
 IN MEDIATION CENTRE
 IN FRONT OFFICE
4
CONCLUSION
8
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Supreme Court Legal Services
Committee and Ms. Mezivolu T Therieh, Secretary, SCLSC for providing me
with the opportunity to complete my internship in the field of Mediation and
Legal Service. The experience has been immensely valuable and provided me
with insight into the practical applications of legal theory. I am grateful to Adv.
Mohit Girdhar, the Legal Assistant for assisting and supporting me to interact
with the public which is an integral part of SCLSC.
I would like to extend my appreciation and acknowledgment to Mr. I D Sharma,
the ASO for welcoming me into his team and providing me with a comfortable
and supportive working environment. I would also express my thankfulness to
Rishab Rathore, the stenographer, K. Nivedha, LDC and Swetha Nandan, LDC
for their positive attitude and willingness to share their experiences and
knowledge have been instrumental in making this internship a success.
I would also like to acknowledge the support and encouragement provided by my
academic advisor, Mrs Cicy Joseph, who recommended me for this internship
opportunity and provided me with valuable advice and guidance.
Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support
and encouragement throughout my academic journey and this internship. Their
love and support have been a constant source of strength and motivation.
Thank you all for contributing to the success of my internship and for being an
integral part of my learning experience.
ABOUT SUPREME COURT LEGAL SERVICE COMMITTEE
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) is a statutory body
established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The committee is
responsible for providing free legal aid and services to eligible individuals and
groups, including women, children, disabled persons, and members of
marginalized communities. The SCLSC also works to promote and support legal
literacy and awareness programs across the country. The SCLSC operates through
a network of legal aid clinics, which are established in various parts of the country
to provide legal assistance to those in need. These clinics are staffed by lawyers
and legal professionals who offer free legal advice, counselling, and
representation to eligible individuals.
Article 39-A of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State must ensure that
the legal system operates in a manner that promotes justice on the basis of equal
opportunity. To achieve this goal, the State must provide free legal aid to citizens
who are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, either through legislation or
other means. Supreme Court Legal Services Committee has been established to
provide legal aid and support to marginalized and weaker sections of society. As
the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court is viewed as the ultimate arbiter
of justice. However, the process of approaching the Supreme Court can be
intimidating, and the high fees and expenses associated with it can be a barrier
for many individuals.
SCLSC plays a crucial role in ensuring that access to justice is not denied to those
who cannot afford it. By providing free legal aid and assistance, the SCLSC is
striving to make justice accessible to all, regardless of their economic status or
other disabilities.
A significant proportion of India's population is unable to afford the costs of
approaching the Hon’ble Supreme Court for legal redress. This can leave many
feelings marginalized and excluded from the legal system. To address this issue,
the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) was established to
provide free legal aid to eligible individuals who are economically or socially
disadvantaged, or who have other disabilities that prevent them from accessing
justice.
The provision of free legal aid through the SCLSC would have been incomplete
if those in need were unable to approach the highest court of justice in the land,
the Supreme Court. Therefore, the SCLSC was created with the specific mandate
of providing legal aid to eligible persons under Section 12 of the Legal Service
Authorities Act, 1987, and to enable them to approach the Hon’ble Supreme
Court without any financial or other barriers. The SCLSC thus plays a vital role
in ensuring that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their economic or social
background, and in fulfilling the constitutional mandate of promoting justice on
the basis of equal opportunity.
NATURE OF WORK ASSIGNED DURING THE PERIOD OF
INTERNSHIP
MEDIATION CENTER:
The duration of internship was total of 15 days. Each day was educating and new
learning experience for my academics. For first seven days I was posted in the
Mediation center and I was entrusted with the task of performing duties at the
mediation center, where the delicate process of mediation takes place. The
mediation process has gained significant traction in recent times, primarily due
to its swift resolution of disputes and its inherent confidentiality. The mediation
center boasts a panel of expert mediators, each having over a decade of experience
in the field. The court assigns different matters to these mediators, who then strive
to reach an amicable solution for all parties involved. In cases where an agreement
is not reached, the dispute is referred back to the court for further deliberation.
The officer-in-charge provided me with a detailed orientation regarding the
pivotal role played by the mediation center in fostering peaceful and mutuallybeneficial outcomes for all parties concerned.
Additionally, I was also asked to peruse through several mediation reports that
were submitted by the mediators, particularly those that pertained to cases where
an amicable settlement could not be reached. I was also responsible for attending
to various phone calls and queries made by both mediators and the public. This
required effective communication skills, coupled with a deep understanding of
the mediation process, which allowed me to address the queries in a prompt and
efficient manner.
I was entrusted with a crucial task of preparing mediation reports, where
settlement could not be reached and the case was referred back to the court. This
task required a keen eye for detail and the ability to navigate through complex
legal procedures. In addition to this, I was also tasked with the responsibility of
carefully reading the court orders that referred various matters to mediation. This
involved an in-depth analysis of the legal intricacies of each case, which enabled
me to gain a better understanding of the various nuances of the mediation process.
I had the opportunity to observe two separate mediation proceedings of two
prominent Mediators Adv. Sudha Gupta and Adv. Anuradha Rastogi, both of
which dealt with matrimonial disputes. The mediators presiding over the
proceedings demonstrated a remarkable level of empathy, professionalism, and
communication skills, which allowed for a productive and constructive exchange
between the parties involved. I was particularly impressed by the mediator's
ability to identify and address the underlying issues that were at the heart of the
disputes, while also maintaining a neutral and impartial stance throughout the
process.
FRONT OFFICE:
One the second week I was posted in the front office and was assisted by Adv.
Mohit Girdhar, as he offered me a comprehensive briefing on the operations of
the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), along with a rundown
of the protocols for obtaining legal aid. Additionally, I was given the opportunity
to visit the administrative office where the management and coordination of the
organization's activities were being carried out.
Furthermore, I was entrusted with certain documentation tasks aimed at
facilitating the clients' legal proceedings. It was noteworthy that the majority of
the cases pertained to matrimonial disputes, particularly transfer petitions that lay
exclusively within the purview of the Supreme Court.
The supervising advocate displayed exemplary dedication in attentively hearing
out the clients' grievances and providing them with the most fitting legal solutions
attainable. Meanwhile, I was assigned to scrutinize the particulars of various
cases and gain an understanding of their respective nuances. In this regard, the
advocate provided me with comprehensive explanations of the intricate aspects
of the cases, thereby enriching my legal acumen.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, my internship at the Supreme Court Legal Service Committee has
been a valuable learning experience, providing me with an opportunity to develop
various skills that will be useful in my legal career. I was able to gain practical
insights into the legal profession, including legal research, communication,
writing, time management, attention to detail and professionalism. Additionally,
I had the chance to observe and assist with various legal proceedings, including
mediation sessions, and client consultations. On the last day I was invited and had
the privilege to attend the LECTURE ON MEDIATION by Hon’ble Justice
Narasimha at Supreme Court Auditorium. Overall, the internship has helped me
to gain a better understanding of the practical aspects of legal practice and has
provided me with a solid foundation upon which to build my future legal career.
I am grateful for the experience and look forward to utilizing the knowledge and
skills gained during my internship in my future endeavors in the legal field.