The Delhi High Court has tightened rules governing access for law students interning with advocates, restricting entry passes and identity cards to students in the senior years of their law courses.
Under the revised policy, students in the first and second years of a three-year LLB programme will no longer qualify for intern entry passes. For students pursuing a five-year integrated law degree, access will be limited to those studying in the fourth or fifth year. The change follows an August 24 circular issued on the directions of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Who will be allowed entry
The revised system creates two categories of law students eligible for internship passes. Students enrolled in a three-year LLB course must be in their third and final year. Those pursuing a five-year integrated law programme must be in either their fourth or fifth year. This effectively excludes students in the first three years of five-year programmes from obtaining the court-issued passes meant for interns working with advocates. The restriction relates to entry passes and ID cards issued by the High Court to law students undertaking internships with lawyers.
Documents required for passes
Eligible students will have to furnish a recommendation letter from the advocate under whom they are interning. The letter must also mention the lawyer’s Bar Council enrolment number. They will additionally need to submit a copy of the advocate’s Bar ID, along with photocopies of their own Aadhaar card and college identity card. Two stamp-sized photographs of the student are also required. The High Court has clarified that no fee will be charged for issuing the internship entry pass or identity card.
New policy takes effect
The circular marks a significant change for younger law students who seek courtroom exposure through internships with practising advocates. With the new eligibility conditions in place, access through the intern-pass system will now be concentrated among students who are closer to completing their legal education. The revised rules apply to law students seeking entry passes or ID cards for internships with advocates at the Delhi High Court.