ILRF Litigation Fellowship
A six-month, full-time fellowship designed to train early-career lawyers in litigation through structured drafting, court exposure, and case-based learning.
Overview
About the Fellowship
The ILRF Litigation Fellowship is a structured programme for law graduates seeking to build a career in litigation. It is designed to bridge the gap between academic understanding and the realities of legal practice through sustained engagement with drafting, procedure, and case strategy.
Training & Practice
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship is built around how litigation is actually practiced. Fellows work through core areas of criminal, civil, and commercial law while developing the ability to analyse legal problems, prepare pleadings, and understand procedural movement across a case.
Drafting Pleadings
Prepare key pleadings — bail applications, plaints, written statements, and interim reliefs — with structured feedback and iterative refinement.
Fellows draft real legal documents across criminal, civil, and commercial matters. Each draft is reviewed by practising mentors and refined through multiple iterations.
Court Observation
Attend proceedings across trial courts and higher forums with structured analysis to understand courtroom dynamics and procedural flow.
Structured observation sheets guide fellows through each hearing. Post-court debriefs connect observed procedure to substantive learning.
Guided Argument Sessions
Participate in guided sessions to structure arguments, engage with competing viewpoints, and think through legal issues in real time.
Moot-style sessions are built around real case scenarios. Fellows argue both sides and receive feedback on structure, delivery, and legal reasoning.
Capstone Case Simulation
Handle a matter across stages — from initial assessment to final resolution — integrating drafting, strategy, and advocacy.
The capstone runs across the final two months. Fellows manage a simulated matter end-to-end, demonstrating readiness for independent litigation practice.
Programme Design
From Foundation to Practice
The fellowship progresses from foundational exposure to applied practice across six months.
Criminal Law & Evidence
Procedural understanding, bail jurisprudence, trial structure, and evidentiary appreciation.
Civil Litigation
CPC framework, pleadings, interim reliefs, and execution.
Commercial Litigation
Introduction to commercial disputes, regulatory forums, and specialised practice areas.
Advocacy & Case Simulation
Argument structuring, strategy, and a final case-based capstone.
Faculty
Learn from Practitioners
Every mentor is a practising litigator with courtroom experience across forums.
Core Mentors
[Name]
Criminal Litigation Mentor
[Name]
Civil Litigation Mentor
[Name]
Commercial Litigation Mentor
Guest Faculty
Eligibility
Who Should Apply
We look for candidates with a strong academic foundation and a genuine commitment to litigation practice.
0–2 years of experience
Recent graduates and early-career lawyers
Minimum 7.0 CGPA (or equivalent)
Strong academic foundation in law
At least one published legal research paper
Demonstrated research aptitude
Availability for a full-time, in-person programme in Delhi
Six months of dedicated commitment
Selection Process
How We Select Fellows
The selection process is designed to assess clarity of intent, depth of thinking, and suitability for litigation practice.
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Applicants are evaluated on their ability to engage with legal problems, articulate their reasoning, and demonstrate a considered interest in litigation. Shortlisting is selective and based on quality of thought rather than credentials alone.
Group Discussion
Shortlisted candidates participate in a moderated discussion to assess their ability to structure arguments, engage with competing viewpoints, and think through legal issues in real time.
Final selection is based on overall performance across both stages.
Benefits
Fellowship Benefits
₹25,000/month
Monthly stipend throughout the fellowship
Completion Certificate
Formal certification upon successful completion
Letter of Recommendation
From a Senior Advocate, based on performance
PPO Consideration
Pre-Placement Offer for high-performing fellows
Timeline
Key Dates
Mark these dates and stay ahead in the application cycle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on any question to see the answer. Can't find what you need? Write to contact@ilrf.in
Ready to begin your litigation career?
Applications for the June 2026 cohort are now open. Take the first step towards building a strong foundation in litigation practice.