Greetings! Fancy having you back here, as I share the growth I’ve experienced in my role as legal intern. This blog post is a consolidated version. Basically a summary of weeks four (4), five (5) and six(6). I can hardly believe that much time has gone.
With six weeks down, it simply means – only four more to go! One thing’s for sure though – I’ve been learning so much and building such a great rapport with my colleagues. This legal internship went from 1 to 10 real fast! Especially the past three weeks.
Legal Internship: It went From 1 -10
I recall my first set of exercises – they were mostly concerned with proofreading Bills that were either tabled or to be tabled in the House of Representatives/ Senate. Then, I thought – okay, this is easy work.
Make no mistake though, proofreading requires focus and attention to details. From double words, to omitted words, to typographical errors and even recognizing inconsistency in dates, numbers or the use of language.
Even so, I was thrilled. But then – it started to happen. I was soon drafting! Not just learning from the manual or hearing from my supervisor and colleagues – but literally drafting! Legal drafting. This is something I’ve wanted to do from as far back as my third year in my undergraduate studies. Now, Iooking back at weeks 4 -6, I can fairly say – I have drafted.
Legal Internship: Amending the “Bible” of a Course I did in 1st Year Norman Manley Law School
In week four, I was pleasantly surprised by my new assignment. This matter came straight from the Supreme Court of Jamaica and my supervisor assigned it to me.
My first thoughts were – Oh my God, this dreaded course again. Then I thought – Is this something I can handle? Finally, I thought – well, well, well, look what I have here! 🙂
Related Post: From Hopeful to Humbling: First Year Law School = FAIL
The law course Civil Practice and Procedure is basically ‘governed’ by the Civil Procedure Rules. A large book of rules made by the Supreme Court which guides how Civil law practice is conducted. These rules range from, how to file a defense, the time period within which to acknowledge that you have been served a claim, the forms to be used for various matters etc. Think about the wide gulf of possible civil matters and those rules apply.
My task was to amend, by redrafting a few sections of the Rules, which the Court recognized as being inconsistent with each other. Sometimes, these findings come about when attorneys point them out in relation to their client (s); sometimes they are academic in nature and other times, perhaps the Rules Committee make their own findings. Whatever the case may have been, I was excited and ready to take this on.
After my first two attempts (my supervisor provided feedback and clarification and rendered her usual 100% assistance) my draft was ready to be dispatched! Wooo hooo! Wait, my draft plus the accompanying letter to the Court’s Registrar. Signed. Sealed. Dispatched. 🙂
I was so proud. Imagine interacting with the “bible” of a course during my studies – then amending that same “bible” as a legal intern and signing off on it. I will never look at the CPR (Civil Procedure Rules) the same way again.
Legal Internship: Holidays, Plants & More Drafting Work
Emancipation and Independence Day were much needed breaks. Not just for a legal intern, but generally, citizens look forward to holidays. They provide some down time with family, for rest, for outings – and for many, all of the above.
With tickets from the Office, I was able to attend the Festival Queen Coronation 2024 and Grand Gala with family. Then after each of these holidays, which were in separate weeks – it was always right back to work. And boy did I have lots of assignments that needed to be dispatched!
Remember, my internship went from 1 -10. My desk needed clearing and I needed space for my two additional plants! You read that right. If you have been keeping up with the 10 weeks legal internship series from as early as week 1, then you’ll understand my little jest of having two new plants. So in total, that’s 4!
Legal Internship: The Biggest File Yet
As usual, to maintain confidentiality, I will reserve the specific nature of the assignment. Notwithstanding, this assignment called for drafting of subsidiary legislations. I recall sharing what these are in week 3. Again, with my supervisor’s guidance, pretty soon, I neared the completion of the draft Order and Resolution for the client ministry, the Ministry of Finance and Public Service. My letter writing skills were sharpened and so was my drafting. Not only that, but I learnt a whole lot more about the public sector/civil service and the procedures and powers for establishing, reclassifying, retitling etc. and abolishing posts.
Legal Internship – What it Really Takes
Its such amazing work – that Legislative Drafters and their Teams do. People may never truly understand the gravity of their trade. Oftentimes, the people who work tirelessly off air, in their offices and God forbid, sometimes at home, aren’t usually recognized. Such a pity.
Legislative Drafters do more than just participating in the drafting process upon instructions of the client (s) (Government/Ministries/Departments). Given the short turn-a-round time for their production of work and the multiplicity of bills and subsidiary legislations being tabled, they have their hands full. As soon as the Government decides to implement new policies, laws or even to amend certain sections of the law – the work of the Parliamentary Counsels (Drafters and their team) begins.
From asking prudent questions about policies, to seeking clear instructions, to keeping track of amendments made to laws decades ago that are not always available digitally, to structuring bills in a way that will not cause citizens hardships based on discrepancies between what was intended versus what was drafted, to sitting in parliament or at joint select committees on matters for accuracy, to setting aside matters being worked on to welcome others deemed more pressing by the government etc – so that ultimately, the nation can benefit from a well written law, in keeping with parliaments intent while safeguarding the people’s rights through the careful crafting of every word.
If you are interested in a synopsis of the drafting process, see extract below ResearchGate.
“The drafting process is divided by the Garth Thornton into five stages:
- Understanding the proposal
- Analysing the proposal
- Designing the law
- Composing and developing the draft
- Verifying the draft
Stage 1 – the receipt and careful reading of drafting instructions compiled by the policy and legal instructing officers of the department that requests the drafting of legislation. Drafting instructions are data provided to the legislative drafter by the policy makers as a means of assisting the drafter to draft effective legislation within the parameters detailed by the policy makers of the government.
Stage 2 – involves the compilation of a legislative plan, also known as a legislative research report. It involves a brief or longer report on basic elements of the drafter’s response to the drafting instructions.
Stage 3 – of the drafting process involves designing the law, namely structuring the legislative text in a manner that facilitates understanding, and consequently invites implementation.
Stage 4 – sees the actual drafting of the text. The drafting of substantive provisions requires application of the rules for words and grammar that are considered to serve the intelligibility of the text
Stage 5 – involves the verification of the legislative text. Drafts need to be verified as a means of achieving quality. Verification takes place internally as well as externally, namely by other interested Ministries and affected agencies. Scrutiny of the legislative text should be a continuous process throughout drafting, particularly to achieve clarity and check its practicability.”
Legal Internship Weeks 4-6 That’s a Wrap!
Thanks for stopping by the Rooting for Growth Blog. I hope this article provided some insights to you. Again, 6 weeks down and four to go. Its been quite an experience and I’m happy to share the “Law Growth” with you.
Feel free to look around. The website has categories ranging from Personal Growth, Professional Growth and even Teacher Growth. Whichever appeals to you, one thing’s for sure, there is always something to help you along your own growth journey.
Until the next blog, Keep Rooting for Growth!
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