Internship articles are required in some countries, including the UK, Australia, and Africa, for law graduates to practice law. The training contract involves rotating between lawyers and gaining experience in civil and criminal law. Mentoring, periodic performance reviews, and attending seminars are also part of the internship. Permanent jobs are not guaranteed, but many students remain with the companies where they trained.
Internship articles refer to a training contract between lawyers and law students, usually involving a two-year commitment. Some countries, including the UK, Australia and Africa, require articles of internship before allowing graduates to practice law. Articulate employees often gain experience in civil and criminal law by alternating between lawyers, often referred to as barristers, inside or outside the company. Some regions no longer use the term but simply refer to them as training contracts. Contracts must normally be registered with an agency that oversees the legal profession.
In South Africa, internship articles require registration with the legal society of the region where the contract is signed. The sponsor applicant warrants to the agency that the employee meets all educational requirements to qualify for training. A law school graduate must also provide the necessary information to file the internship articles.
Character references may be required to show that the student is morally and emotionally qualified to become an attorney. The law society may also require proof of age and completion of law school. The registration form for secretarial articles must be signed by the student and attorney, and received by the regulatory agency prior to the start of any training.
Mentoring forms an important part of the internship, with periodic performance reviews to assess progress. An articulate clerk typically rotates every few months to learn a different facet of the law called a seat. Working with a new mentor for each seat can provide an employee with valuable experience in practicing different types of law.
Areas of training typically include the drafting of legal documents and the disposition of witnesses. Civil law experience may involve land disputes and commercial litigation over copyright issues. The clerk usually conducts legal research on civil and criminal matters and usually writes summaries and indictments. He or she may also work closely with crime victims on criminal cases.
Other functions performed by officials include participating in meetings with judges in the chambers. They can also look up past court cases when helping with appeals. Opportunities to examine or cross-examine witnesses during the trial generally vary by law firm.
Some law firms provide opportunities for employees to attend seminars or training courses during their internship. Articulate staff can also spend time learning the legislative process and assist with the drafting of bills. Permanent jobs after training are not guaranteed, but a high percentage of students who participate in internship articles remain with the companies where they trained.
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