The Godsent Law House Law Students Internship Programme provides law students with an opportunity to gain practical exposure to legal practice, professional ethics, legal research, litigation, client relations and law-office administration under the supervision of legal practitioners. The programme is designed to complement academic legal education while promoting professionalism, confidentiality, discipline and responsible conduct.
About the Internship Programme
The internship programme is designed to provide selected law students with structured exposure to the practical aspects of legal practice at Godsent Law House. Interns may observe and participate, under appropriate supervision, in legal research, drafting, client interviews, court proceedings, case preparation, corporate and regulatory work, and general law-office administration. Participation in the programme does not create an employment relationship or guarantee future employment with the Firm.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Godsent Law House Law Students Internship Programme should:
- Be a law student of a recognised university or other approved institution of legal education.
- Demonstrate genuine interest in learning about legal practice and professional development.
- Be willing to comply with the Firm’s rules on confidentiality, professional conduct and office discipline.
- Possess good communication, research and interpersonal skills.
- Be punctual, responsible and willing to carry out assigned tasks under supervision.
- Provide valid student identification or other evidence of current studentship where requested.
- Complete the Firm’s internship application process and execute the required Confidentiality Undertaking and Internship Code of Conduct before commencement.
Internship Code of Conduct
Every intern admitted into the Godsent Law House Law Students Internship Programme is expected to maintain high standards of professionalism, integrity and responsible conduct throughout the internship. By participating in the programme, the intern agrees to observe the following rules:
1. Confidentiality and Client Information
The intern shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the internship, including information relating to clients, prospective clients, cases, transactions, legal opinions, correspondence, documents, passwords, internal discussions and the affairs of the Firm.
No confidential information or document shall be disclosed, copied, photographed, forwarded, published or otherwise shared with any unauthorised person without the express permission of the Firm.
The obligation of confidentiality shall continue even after the internship has ended.
2. Professional Conduct
The intern shall conduct himself or herself in a professional, respectful and responsible manner at all times and shall comply with lawful instructions given by the Principal, supervising lawyers and other authorised personnel of Godsent Law House.
Interns shall treat clients, lawyers, court officials, fellow interns, members of staff and members of the public with courtesy and respect.
3. Attendance and Punctuality
Interns are expected to report to the Firm and assigned activities at the stipulated time and maintain reasonable attendance throughout the internship.
Where an intern will be absent or unavoidably late, the intern shall notify the appropriate supervising officer as soon as reasonably practicable.
4. Client Interaction
An intern shall not independently provide legal advice to a client, accept professional instructions, negotiate professional fees or make representations on behalf of Godsent Law House unless specifically authorised and supervised by a legal practitioner in the Firm.
Any client enquiry requiring legal advice or professional judgment shall be referred to the appropriate lawyer.
5. Handling of Files and Documents
All client files, court processes, agreements, correspondence, research materials and other Firm documents entrusted to an intern shall be handled carefully and used only for authorised purposes.
An intern shall not remove original files or documents from the office, make unauthorised copies, or transmit documents through personal email, social media, cloud-storage accounts or other unauthorised platforms without permission.
6. Court and Professional Activities
Where an intern accompanies a lawyer to court, a client meeting, negotiation, registry, government agency or other professional engagement, the intern shall conduct himself or herself appropriately and comply with instructions given by the supervising lawyer.
The intern shall not present himself or herself as a qualified legal practitioner or undertake any activity reserved by law for a legal practitioner.
7. Use of Technology and Social Media
Interns shall use the Firm’s computers, internet facilities, databases, email accounts and other technological resources responsibly and only for authorised purposes.
No intern shall publish photographs, videos, documents, conversations or information concerning the Firm, its clients or matters being handled by the Firm on social media or any other public platform without prior authorisation.
8. Conflict of Interest
An intern shall promptly disclose any personal, family, business or other relationship that may create an actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to any client or matter assigned to the intern.
The Firm may reassign or restrict the intern’s involvement in such matter where necessary.
9. Intellectual Property and Work Product
Legal research, drafts, templates, notes, reports and other materials prepared by an intern in the course of assigned work shall be treated as part of the Firm’s work product and shall not be removed, reproduced, published or used for an unauthorised purpose.
10. Dress and Appearance
Interns shall maintain a neat, modest and professional appearance appropriate for a law office and for any court or professional environment they may attend during the programme.
Where specific dress requirements apply to a particular activity, interns shall comply with instructions provided by the supervising lawyer.
11. Honesty and Integrity
Interns shall act honestly and shall not falsify information, documents, attendance records, research results or representations concerning work performed.
Any mistake affecting a client matter or assignment should be promptly disclosed to the supervising lawyer so that appropriate corrective action can be taken.
12. Respectful Workplace
Godsent Law House expects interns to contribute to a professional and respectful working environment. Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discriminatory conduct, threats, violence or other serious misconduct will not be tolerated.
13. Compliance With Firm Policies
Interns shall comply with this Code of Conduct and any reasonable policies, procedures or instructions communicated by Godsent Law House during the internship.
The Firm may amend administrative procedures applicable to the internship programme where reasonably necessary.
14. Breach of the Code
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct, particularly in relation to confidentiality, dishonesty, client information, unauthorised legal advice or serious misconduct, may result in corrective action or termination of the internship.
Where appropriate, the Firm may take further steps permitted by law to protect its clients, confidential information, property or legitimate interests.
15. Nature of the Internship
Participation in the internship programme is primarily for educational and professional-development purposes. Admission into or completion of the programme does not by itself create an employment relationship or guarantee employment, remuneration, recommendation, certification or future engagement by Godsent Law House.
Confidentiality Undertaking
As a condition of participating in the Godsent Law House Law Students Internship Programme, every intern shall undertake to preserve the confidentiality of information obtained during the internship.
The intern agrees not to disclose or misuse confidential information belonging to the Firm, its clients or any other person whose information becomes available to the intern through the programme.
This obligation continues after the intern leaves the Firm.
Intern’s Declaration and Acceptance
I confirm that the information supplied by me in connection with my internship is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
I acknowledge that I have read and understood the Godsent Law House Law Students Internship Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Undertaking, and I agree to comply with its provisions throughout my internship.
I understand that access to client information and Firm documents is given solely for authorised internship activities and that my confidentiality obligations continue after completion or termination of my internship.
I further understand that serious or repeated breach of the Code may result in termination of my participation in the internship programme.
I Agree to the Internship Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Undertaking.