Thiruvananthapuram: A law student has approached the Kerala High Court challenging restrictions under its revised internship policy. The Kerala High Court internship policy has raised concerns among law graduates who have completed their LL.B. courses but are waiting for their final examination results or enrolment as advocates.
The Court has granted interim relief to the petitioner, Austin Suney, and directed the authorities to issue him a temporary entry pass to attend court proceedings as an intern. However, the larger question about the validity and applicability of the restrictions remains open.
Details of Kerala High Court Internship Policy Row
The case concerns the revised internship policy introduced by the Kerala High Court on October 17, 2026.
Under the amended policy, only students in the last two years of their law courses are eligible to undertake internships at the High Court, subject to the policy’s provisions.
This restriction has created concerns for law graduates who have completed their courses but are still waiting for their final results or enrolment as advocates.
Such graduates may want to continue their practical legal training under practising advocates. However, the new eligibility rules have created difficulties for them in attending court proceedings as interns.
Who Is Austin Suney
Austin Suney is a law student from Bharat Mata School of Legal Studies, Aluva, Kerala. He had completed his final semester examinations and was waiting for the results.
He joined the law firm Ninan & Mathew Advocates for an internship. Senior Advocate Santhosh Mathew also issued an authorisation certificate confirming his internship. However, when Suney approached the High Court authorities for an entry pass to attend court proceedings, he was informed that only eligible students could receive permission under the revised policy.
His request was reportedly rejected because he had already appeared for his regular examinations. He also claimed that no written order explaining the rejection was provided despite his request.
What Are The Restrictions Under The Kerala High Court Internship Policy
The Kerala High Court amended its 2026 internship policy with effect from October 17, 2026. Under Clause 6(a), only students in the last two years of their law courses are eligible to undertake internships at the High Court.
The amended policy also introduces rules regarding applications, internship slots, attendance, discipline and dress code. Students must follow the prescribed application process and obtain permission before receiving an entry pass.
The policy also restricts the use of mobile phones, cameras and recording devices inside courtrooms and sensitive areas. However, internships permitted at the discretion of individual judges are exempt from the general eligibility restriction.
What Did The Student Argue Before The Court
Austin Suney challenged the revised internship policy before the Kerala High Court. He argued that students who have completed their law courses but are waiting for examination results or enrolment should not be excluded from practical legal training.
According to his petition, such restrictions defeat the purpose of providing practical courtroom experience to law students. He also raised constitutional concerns under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. These provisions protect equality before the law, certain freedoms and the right to life and personal liberty.
The petitioner argued that restricting internship opportunities at this stage could unfairly affect his ability to pursue the legal profession. He also contended that the existing internship safeguards could be applied to him instead of completely denying him access to court proceedings.
What Did The Kerala High Court Decide
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan heard the petition and granted interim relief to Austin Suney.
The Court directed the authorities to issue him a temporary entry pass so that he could attend court proceedings and continue his internship. However, the relief is subject to the conditions prescribed under the earlier internship policy dated July 1, 2026.
The Court also required a written assurance from the advocate concerned confirming that Suney was working as an intern under him. The Court clarified that the interim relief was limited to the petitioner.
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FAQs
The amended policy, effective from October 17, 2026, generally allows only students in the last two years of their law courses to undertake internships at the High Court, subject to specified exceptions.
Austin Suney approached the Kerala High Court after he was denied an entry pass to attend court proceedings as an intern under the revised internship policy.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan directed the authorities to issue Austin Suney a temporary entry pass, subject to the prescribed conditions and written confirmation from his supervising advocate. The larger policy challenge remains pending.
