A law student has approached the Kerala High Court challenging a restriction imposed by Government Law College, Ernakulam and its affiliating institution, Mahatma Gandhi University, limiting the number of internships students can undertake under trial or appellate court lawyers.

Justice TR Ravi issued notices to the Bar Council of India (BCI), the college, and MG University, seeking their response on the matter.

The petitioner, Aswin R, a fourth-semester student of the 3-year LL.B. course, argued that while the BCI Rules of Legal Education, 2008, mandate a minimum of 12 weeks of internship, including compulsory training under trial or appellate advocates, there is no upper limit prescribed. However, the academic regulations of GLC Ernakulam and MG University reportedly cap such internships at two.

Having already completed two internships under trial and appellate lawyers, Aswin claims he has now been barred from further training in this domain, which he asserts is crucial for students aspiring to litigate.

He contended that the restriction infringes upon his academic freedom and violates his fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution. Aswin further argued that this local restriction—unsupported by BCI guidelines—disadvantages students of Ernakulam GLC and MG University as compared to law students from other institutions who face no such limitations.

Describing internships as an essential element of clinical legal education, Aswin said the restriction undermines opportunities for hands-on learning in drafting, research, argumentation, and courtroom procedures—skills that BCI rules aim to promote.

He has sought quashing of the said regulation to the extent it limits internship opportunities under trial and appellate lawyers.

The petitioner is represented by advocates Raghul Sudheesh, Lakshmi J, Ambily T Venu, Unnikrishnan S Thandayaan, and Umadevi M.