PERSONAL DETAILS
Name of the Intern: Shubhangi Jha
- Name of the Law Firm/ Government organisation/ company name/ any other: Mimansa Law Offices, Delhi office
- Internship Duration (Start and End Dates)&Mode of Internship (Offline/Online/Hybrid): Offline Internship for the month of May (4 weeks)
- Name and Designation of Supervisor (if any): –
HOW TO APPLY? –
I registered through the official Canonsphere internship registration link and got a confirmation email. The procedure entailed sending out preSend a mail to dania@mimansalaw.in with the cover letter and Curriculum Vitae.
WORK ASSIGNED
What kind of tasks were assigned to you during the internship? Which areas of law did you primarily work on (e.g., criminal, civil, corporate, IPR, etc.)?
During the internship, I was entrusted with diverse legal research and drafting assignments across several branches of law. I primarily worked on civil law, corporate law, insolvency law, real estate law (RERA), and criminal law. My tasks included:
- Drafting legal submissions.
- Conducting extensive legal research on issues related to unsoundness of mind, refund claims under investment agreements, SLP briefs, share warrants, contempt petitions, and Finance Act penalties.
- Assisting with research for ongoing proceedings at NCLAT, DRAT, and DIAC.
- Attending arbitration proceedings at DIAC.
- Research under CGST Act, IBC, CrPC, BNSS, and the Indian Penal Code.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What were the most valuable legal skills you developed during the internship?
The internship significantly strengthened my:
- Legal research proficiency, especially in reading judgments and extracting relevant principles.
- Drafting and structuring legal documents, such as letters of demand (LOD), legal opinions, and submission briefs.
- Analytical thinking, especially in interpreting procedural rules under the CPC, CrPC/BNSS, IBC, and finance-related statutes.
- Case briefing and summarization of Supreme Court decisions.
Mention any new software/tools or legal databases you learned to use (e.g., Manupatra, SCC Online, etc.)
I became proficient in using Manupatra, SCC Online and E-jaagriti.
Describe a challenging task or assignment and how you approached it.
One of the most challenging assignments I worked on was researching the jurisdictional bar under the RDDBFI Act, specifically in relation to the maintainability of suits filed before the DRT when an exclusive jurisdiction clause was present in the underlying agreement. The matter required detailed legal and factual scrutiny. I approached it by:
- Analyzing the case documents in detail, including the investment agreement and related correspondences to identify the exact wording and implications of the exclusive jurisdiction clause.
- Reviewing the annexed receipts and transaction records to understand the financial flows and determine whether they fell within the statutory definition of a ‘debt’ under the RDDBFI Act.
- Interpreting Sections 17 and 18 of the RDDBFI Act, which deal with the exclusive jurisdiction of DRTs, and assessing whether the statutory scheme overrides contractual clauses.
- Researching judicial precedents where courts have considered the interplay between forum selection clauses and statutory tribunals.
- Preparing a consolidated research note summarizing the contractual obligations, jurisdictional objections, and precedents supporting the maintainability or dismissal of the suit in DRT.
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
What did you observe about the work culture and client management at the firm?
The work culture at Mimansa Law Offices was professional, intellectually stimulating, and team-oriented. I observed:
- Open and approachable mentors who encouraged asking questions.
- High standards of client confidentiality and precise legal advice.
- Seamless coordination between associates and interns, especially in multi-layered matters like land acquisition disputes and IBC proceedings.
- Effective client management through structured drafts and prompt litigation updates.
Were you given constructive feedback during the internship?
Yes, I received regular and detailed feedback on my research and drafting tasks. I was:
- Guided on improving the precision of legal language.
- Corrected on formatting and citation styles (especially for LODs and research notes).
- Encouraged to look beyond the literal reading of case law and focus on ratio decidendi and policy implications.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE & SUGGESTIONS
What did you enjoy the most during your internship ?
I particularly enjoyed:
- Working on live matters involving arbitration, NCLT/NCLAT, and SLPs.
- Interacting with mentors across different specializations, which gave me a well-rounded understanding.
- Drafting research memos that were used in actual court proceedings.
- Exploring the practical overlap of procedural and substantive law.
What improvements would you suggest for the internship program at the firm?
While the experience was highly enriching, a few suggestions include:
- Structured induction on internal documentation and expected formats at the start.
- Inclusion in client meetings or calls, where appropriate, to better understand client handling and advisory roles.
