Internship program for law students at Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT)

The Central Administrative Tribunal(CAT) offers an internship program for law students with the objective of providing them with practical experience in administrative law and judicial processes, while fostering a deeper understanding of the functioning of a quasi-judicial body. Interns will have the opportunity to learn the provisions of the Administrative Tribunals Act,1985,as well as CAT (Procedure) Rules and CAT (Practice) Rules, and observe the filing, listing, and maintenance of judicial records. The internship aims to offer hands-on exposure to legal processes, case study, and court proceedings, while also ensuring professional development in the legal domain.

Eligibility :

Law students enrolled in recognized Law Colleges/Universities may apply for the internship program. Applications should be submitted through the prescribed channels, accompanied by a recommendation letter from the college and a valid student identity card.

Procedure for Application :

Step 1: Interested students must submit an application for the internship along with their College Identity Card and a Recommendation Letter from the college. The recommendation should be addressed to the Principal Registrar, Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi.
Step 2: Once the application is approved by the Competent Authority, the student will be invited to undertake the internship at CAT.

Duration of Internship :

The minimum duration of the internship shall be Four (4) weeks.
The internship may be extended up to a maximum of six (6) weeks (in all) upon written request from the intern, subject to performance evaluation and approval by the Competent Authority.

Internship Guidelines :

Supervision: Interns will be placed under the supervision of the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) and shall complete their tasks under their guidance.
Daily Attendance: Interns are required to mark their daily attendance with the Section Officer (Judicial Administration).
Work Association: Interns may be assigned work in association with the staff members, including the PPS/PS attached to the Hon’ble Chairman and the Hon’ble Member concerned.
Confidentiality & Integrity: Interns must maintain confidentiality regarding the work undertaken during the internship and uphold the integrity of the Tribunal.
No External Assignments: Interns are not permitted to take up any other work or internship with other organizations or lawyers during the term of their internship.
Non-Disclosure: Interns are prohibited from disclosing any information, documents, or materials related to their internship unless authorized in writing by the Section Officer/Court Officer or if compelled by law.
Workplace Decorum: Interns are expected to maintain dignity, discipline, and decorum at the workplace. Mobile phones are to be used minimally and should not be used during Court proceedings or while working.
Dress Code: Interns are required to adhere to a formal dress code at all times during their internship.
Non-Remunerative: The internship is unpaid, and interns must bear their own expenses for lodging, transport, and food.
Reporting and Punctuality: Interns are expected to be regular, punctual, and adhere to court timings. They must report to the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) every day.

Limit on Interns :

A maximum of five (5) students may be permitted for internship at CAT, Principal Bench, at a time.

Internship Start and End Dates :

The internship program will start on the 1st working day of the calendar month and end on the last working day of the same month, unless extended by the Competent Authority.
At the beginning of each calendar month’s batch, an officer will brief the interns about the program, expectations, and tasks. Similarly, on the last day of the internship, the interns will be required to give a presentation or brief overview of their learning during the entire internship, based on the report they will have prepared.

Completion and Certificate :

Upon completion of the internship, the intern is required to submit a detailed report on the experience and work done during the internship period.
The completion report will be reviewed, and upon successful evaluation, an Internship Certificate will be issued. The certificate will be forwarded to the concerned Law College/University via email.

Extension of Internship :

Interns may request an extension of their internship beyond the initial four (4) weeks. The extension may be granted for a maximum of two (2) additional weeks, subject to approval by the Competent Authority, based on the interns performance.

Discontinuation of Internship :

Violation of any of the conditions outlined above will result in the immediate discontinuation of the internship, without prior notice or proceeding. In such cases, the intern will lose the right to receive a Certificate of Internship.

Use of Laptop :

The law intern may bring his/her own laptop to the internship, provided it is used strictly for work-related tasks and in compliance with the confidentiality and integrity guidelines of the Tribunal. The use of personal devices should not interfere with the daily tasks or proceedings, and the intern must ensure that no sensitive or confidential information is accessed or stored without proper authorization.

Final Remarks :

This Internship Scheme is designed to provide law students with the exposure necessary to understand the functioning of a quasi-judicial body like the Central Administrative Tribunal. Interns will gain valuable knowledge and practical insights into the workings of administrative law, case management, and judicial procedures, which will benefit their professional careers.

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