INTERNSHIP & PLACEMENT COMMITTEE, GUJARAT NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

INTERNSHIP RULES, 2012

These rules are formulated by the Internship Committee and may be called the Internship Rules, 2012 and shall replace the Internship Committee Rules, 2009. These Rules shall come into force on January 23, 2012. AIMS & OBJECTIVES The purpose of the internship program is to provide a planned transition from the University curriculum to a professional apparatus. During the internship program, the student is exposed to different professional set ups and will be engaging in the practical application and practice of the law. The internship program helps students to assess their areas of interest and decide on future career options. 1. DEFINITIONS For the purposes of these Rules, the following meaning shall be assigned to the words and expressions occurring hereinafter: a. Available period shall mean the months of May, June, November and December of each year. Depending upon the needs of students and University, the available period for 5th year student may vary. b. Batch shall mean any of the five batches of the University c. CGPA shall mean Cumulative Grade Point Average d. Committee shall mean the Internship and Placement Committee e. Director means the Director of the University f. Duration of Internship shall mean the minimum and mandatory time period of the internship which shall be normally around 4-6 weeks. g. Firms means law firms and includes companies, lawyers and other organisations h. i. j. Rules shall mean the Internship Rules, 2012 Student(s) shall mean the students of the University University shall mean Gujarat National Law University

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2. APPLICABILITY These Rules shall govern the Internships secured through the Committee for the students of the University 3. INTERPRETATION These Rules shall be interpreted objectively and should any confusion arise, the faculty members of the Committee, in consultation with the Director, shall take a final decision on the interpretation of these Rules. 4. FUNCTIONS The Committee shall endeavour to secure Internships for as many students of the University as possible during the available period based on the following parameters: a. The Committee shall assist first year students to secure internships at Non-governmental organisations and research organisations. b. The Committee shall assist second and third year students to secure internships with practising litigation lawyers and judges. c. The Committee shall assist fourth and fifth year students to secure internships in law firms, companies and other organisations. d. Depending upon the needs, interests and concerns of the University and the students, the Committee shall assist students of different years in placing in any institution which can draw mutual benefits to students, University and host institutions.

5. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

a. The Committee shall communicate to as many firms as possible about the availability of students during the available period for Internship opportunities. b. Once the firms request the Committee to send applications, the Committee shall communicate the same to the students. The Committee shall also decide and communicate to the students the limitations, if any, fixed by way of options that shall be chosen by the

INTERNSHIP & PLACEMENT COMMITTEE, GUJARAT NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY students while applying for different firms. c. The Committee shall send all the applications submitted by the students to the firm. However, if the firms request the Committee to vet the applications and send a limited number of applications, the Committee shall request the firms to specify the criteria on the basis of which the applications shall be vetted by the Committee. If the firms do not mention any specific criteria, the Committee shall vet the applications based on the CGPA.

6. ACCEPTANCE

a. Once the Committee is informed by the firms, either through electronic or telephonic communication, about the acceptance of a students application, the student shall mandatorily pursue the internship b. If a student fails to pursue the confirmed internship, he / she is barred from applying for internships or recruitment through the Committee. The faculty members of the Committee, in consultation with the Director, shall be the final arbiters in deciding matters in this regard c. To avoid any conflicts, the students are advised to strategically choose their options while applying to the various firms d. Students are allowed to cancel their internship applications at any time before the communication referred to in Rule 6 (a) is received by the Committee e. Once the communication referred to in Rule 6 (a) is received, the Committee shall cancel all other applications of the student for that particular month / period

7. MISCONDUCT

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a. Any student found guilty of proven misconduct will be debarred from applying for internships or recruitment through the committee b. When the Committee receives any communication from the firm alleging misconduct on the part of a student, the faculty members of the Committee shall conduct an inquiry on the alleged misconduct and provide an opportunity to the student to explain the allegations c. The faculty members of the Committee shall endeavour to expeditiously decide on the inquiry and take appropriate action against the student

8. SUBMISSION OF INTERNSHIP EVALUATION FORM

a. Each student shall request the firm to fill the Internship Evaluation Form (IC2 Form) at the end of the internship and submit the same to the Committee

9. Miscellaneous provisions

b. The Committee, in consultation with students, shall be free to devise and implement rules, having mandatory or non-mandatory binding character on students to achieve the object and purpose of the University and contribute to the wholesome professional development of the students. c. Any difficulty or dispute arising out of the interpretation or application of these rules, shall be brought to the attention of the Dean of Academic Affairs, Registrar and Director, who shall try to resolve the issue, keeping in view the object and purpose of the University and the wholesome professional development of the students. This decision shall be final and binding.