Today, On 25th July, Union Minister of State for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal told Parliament, “BCI is drafting Model Code to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in law internships,” aiming to improve selection, working conditions, and grievance redressal for students.
The Central government informed Parliament that it does not plan to establish a regulatory framework requiring a minimum stipend for law interns.
Union Minister of State for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal mentioned that the Bar Council of India (BCI) is currently developing a Model Code of Legal Internships.
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This information was provided in response to a Parliamentary question from Praveen Khandelwal, who inquired about the existence of a framework to standardize stipends, ensure fair selection, outline internship conditions, and establish grievance redressal mechanisms for law students interning with advocates, law firms, and corporate legal departments.
The Law Ministry explained that the BCI’s Model Code seeks to ensure “fairness, transparency, and accountability in the structure and administration of internships offered by legal practitioners, firms, and institutions.”
Last year, the BCI issued guidelines that recommended a minimum stipend for junior advocates working with senior advocates, law firms, and independent practitioners.
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For junior lawyers in urban areas, the suggested minimum stipend was Rs.20,000 per month, while in rural areas, it was Rs.15,000 per month, applicable for a minimum period of three years from the date of the junior advocate’s engagement.
However, it’s important to note that the minimum stipend is not mandatory.
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