OutofCourt invites law students for a structured mediation-focused ADR internship program.
About OutofCourt.in
OutofCourt.in is an initiative dedicated to strengthening awareness, accessibility, and engagement with mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in India. At a time when the legal ecosystem is gradually shifting toward consensual dispute resolution processes, platforms like OutofCourt.in are playing an important role in bridging the gap between traditional litigation and emerging ADR practices.
The organisation works toward making mediation more understandable and approachable for law students, professionals, and the wider community by encouraging research-driven learning and practical engagement. Through its training initiatives and internship programmes, OutofCourt.in enables participants to explore how mediation operates in real institutional settings rather than limiting exposure to theoretical frameworks alone.
The mediation internship programme offered by the organisation is mentored by Meena P. Waghray along with a team of experienced mediators working actively in dispute resolution practice. This structured mentorship ensures that interns gain insight into both conceptual and procedural aspects of mediation in India.
About the Internship
OutofCourt.in is inviting applications for its four-week online mediation internship designed specifically for law students interested in understanding the evolving role of mediation within India’s dispute resolution framework. The internship is not lecture-based and instead follows a guided self-learning model that encourages independent engagement with mediation processes.
Participants are expected to take ownership of their learning journey through research, structured reflection, and documentation of their observations. The programme introduces interns to mediation not merely as an academic subject but as a professional field connected with courts, tribunals, and institutional dispute resolution systems.
The internship is particularly relevant in light of the growing emphasis on mediation as a preferred method of resolving disputes efficiently, cost-effectively, and collaboratively. Students who actively participate in the programme gain clarity regarding how mediation operates in practice and how it is gradually becoming an important component of India’s legal landscape.
Structure of the Internship Programme
The internship follows a guided but self-driven structure where interns engage with mediation through research assignments, documentation exercises, and field-based observations. Instead of passive learning, the programme encourages analytical engagement with legal materials and institutional practices related to mediation.
Participants will examine the relationship between mediation centres and courts, explore settlement mechanisms, analyse legal developments affecting mediation practice, and understand how dispute resolution systems are evolving beyond adversarial litigation models.
Mentors provide direction and feedback throughout the internship, but meaningful participation depends on the intern’s initiative and consistency in completing assigned tasks.
Areas of Learning and Exposure
During the internship period, participants will explore multiple aspects of mediation practice in India, including:
Process and dynamics of mediation proceedings
Core principles governing alternative dispute resolution systems
Legal frameworks relating to mediation in India
Judicial approaches to mediation and relevant case law developments
Structure and drafting of settlement agreements
Institutional mediation mechanisms connected with courts
Evolution and future trajectory of mediation practice in India
This exposure helps interns understand mediation as a professional pathway alongside litigation and arbitration.
Field Observation Requirements
A distinctive feature of this internship programme is its emphasis on field-based learning. Interns are required to undertake observation-based exposure through:
Visit to a mediation centre
Visit to a court
These visits help participants connect theoretical understanding with institutional practice and develop familiarity with how mediation functions within the broader justice delivery system.
Research and Documentation Responsibilities
Interns are expected to engage in continuous research and reflection throughout the programme. Each participant will maintain a weekly reflection journal documenting insights gained from readings, discussions, and observations during field visits.
These reflections gradually form the basis of a final internship report that captures the participant’s understanding of mediation systems and their practical relevance within contemporary dispute resolution frameworks.
The documentation component strengthens analytical writing skills and helps interns articulate legal concepts clearly and professionally.
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Mediation Awareness Initiative
As part of the internship, participants contribute to spreading awareness about mediation within their academic or professional communities. This outreach effort may include creating short explainers, writing reflective pieces, sharing research insights, or initiating peer discussions on ADR mechanisms.
Students are encouraged to conduct at least one meaningful awareness activity during the internship period. These initiatives help interns develop confidence in communicating legal ideas while contributing to the growing mediation ecosystem in India.
Eligibility Criteria
The internship is open to law students enrolled in three-year or five-year law degree programmes across India. Students from any academic year may apply, provided they demonstrate interest in mediation, legal research, and alternative dispute resolution systems.
No prior experience in ADR is required, although candidates with curiosity about non-litigation dispute resolution methods may benefit most from the programme.
Internship Details
Duration: 4 weeks
Mode: Online
Number of positions: 15 interns
Fee: None
Stipend: None
A certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of research tasks, submission of reflections, and participation in internship activities including outreach efforts.
Selection Process
Selection will be based on submission of curriculum vitae, indication of preferred internship month, and completion of a short screening process conducted by the organising team.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates must email their CV along with their preferred internship month to the address mentioned below.
Click here to apply:
indiamediates@gmail.com
Contact (Coordinator – Internships and Mediation Training):
Juthika Mondal – 9448273021
