Alright — I’ll give you professional, law-specific model answers to the common law intern
interview questions I listed earlier.
I’ll keep them concise but impactful, so they sound confident and natural in an interview.
1. Basic Personal & Background Questions
Q: Tell me about yourself.
A:
“I’m Harsh Mehrotra, currently in my ___ year of the 5-year B.A. LL.B. program at SRM
University, Chennai. My academic interests include constitutional law, contract law, and
criminal jurisprudence. I have developed practical skills through moot court participation, legal
drafting exercises, and research projects. I’m eager to gain hands-on exposure to professional
legal work and learn from experienced practitioners.”
Q: Why did you choose to study law?
A:
“I was drawn to law because it combines analytical reasoning, societal impact, and continuous
learning. I wanted a career where I could work on complex problems and contribute to justice
and governance.”
Q: Why SRM University?
A:
“SRM offers a multidisciplinary approach, strong faculty mentorship, and opportunities like
moot courts and legal aid clinics, which have helped me gain both academic and practical
exposure.”
Q: What area of law interests you the most, and why?
A:
“Constitutional and criminal law interest me because they directly impact citizens’ rights and
public policy. I find it intellectually engaging to study how legal principles evolve through
landmark judgments.”
Q: Why do you want to intern with our firm?
A:
“Your firm is known for [specific practice area—e.g., commercial litigation or IPR] and high-
quality work. I want to observe and learn your approach to case strategy, drafting, and client
interaction, which will help me bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional
application.”
2. Academic & Knowledge-Based Questions
Q: Explain the difference between civil and criminal law.
A:
“Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations, often involving rights,
contracts, or property, and results in remedies like compensation or injunctions. Criminal law
addresses offences against the State or society, with penalties like imprisonment or fines.”
Q: Difference between contract and agreement?
A:
“All contracts are agreements, but not all agreements are contracts. An agreement becomes a
contract only when it is legally enforceable under Section 2(h) of the Indian Contract Act, 1872,
requiring elements like offer, acceptance, consideration, and lawful object.”
Q: Explain mens rea and actus reus.
A:
“Mens rea refers to the guilty mind—the intention or knowledge of wrongdoing—while actus
reus refers to the guilty act—the physical action or omission constituting the offence. Both
elements are generally required to establish criminal liability.”
Q: Landmark case example?
A:
“In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court established the Basic
Structure Doctrine, holding that Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution
even through constitutional amendments.”
3. Practical & Skill-Based Questions
Q: How would you approach legal research on a topic you’ve never studied?
A:
“I would begin with primary sources—statutes, bare acts, and relevant constitutional provisions
—then move to secondary sources like commentaries, law commission reports, and case law
using databases like SCC Online. I would also cross-check multiple sources to ensure accuracy.”
Q: If you can’t meet a deadline, what will you do?
A:
“I would immediately inform my senior, explain the situation honestly, and prioritise the work to
complete it as soon as possible, possibly requesting guidance or redistribution of tasks.”
4. Situational & Ethical Questions
Q: If you notice a factual error in a senior’s draft, will you correct it?
A:
“Yes. I would respectfully bring it to their attention, showing the supporting source for the
correction. Accuracy is critical, and I see it as my duty to ensure the work’s quality.”
Q: You overhear confidential client information—what will you do?
A:
“I would maintain complete confidentiality. As an intern, I understand that protecting client
information is both an ethical obligation and a legal requirement.”
5. Firm-Specific & Career Goal Questions
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A:
“I see myself as an associate in a reputed law firm or chambers, specialising in [your preferred
field], with strong expertise in research, drafting, and courtroom advocacy.”
Q: How will this internship help you?
A:
“It will allow me to understand the practical application of law, improve my drafting and
research skills, and learn the professional etiquette and processes followed in a top-tier legal
practice.”
6. Behavioural & Personality Questions
Q: How do you handle multiple assignments?
A:
“I prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, keep clear track of deadlines, and ensure I
communicate with my seniors about progress so they’re aware of any challenges early on.”
Q: How do you take constructive criticism?
A:
“I welcome it, because it’s an opportunity to improve. I note the feedback carefully, clarify
doubts if needed, and apply the suggestions to my future work.”
If you want, I can now make a one-page “Law Intern Interview Master Sheet” where all
these Q&A are arranged in bullet form, with short “memory hooks” so you can revise quickly
just before an interview without reading long paragraphs.
That will make you sound natural, not scripted. Would you like me to prepare that?
Got it ✅ — if you’re applying for an IPR internship at NUSRL Ranchi (NLU Ranchi) or an
IP-specialised centre/firm, the interview questions will be similar in structure but with a clear
tilt towards Intellectual Property Rights (Copyright, Patents, Trademarks, Designs, etc.).
Here’s a full set of model questions + professional answers, tailored for an IPR internship:
1. Basic Personal & Background
Q: Tell me about yourself.
A:
“I am [Your Name], currently pursuing my ___ year of B.A. LL.B. from SRM University,
Chennai. I have a keen interest in Intellectual Property Rights, particularly in how law balances
innovation with public interest. I have engaged in academic research, moot courts, and drafting
assignments, and I’m eager to deepen my practical understanding of IPR through this
internship.”
Q: Why IPR?
A:
“IPR fascinates me because it connects law, creativity, and business. It protects inventions, art,
and branding while encouraging innovation. In today’s economy, IP is one of the most valuable
assets, and I want to be part of a field that directly contributes to growth and innovation.”
Q: Why do you want to intern at NLU Ranchi’s IPR Centre?
A:
“NLU Ranchi has a strong focus on research and policy-oriented work in IPR. I want to
contribute to ongoing projects, improve my legal research and drafting skills, and gain exposure
to real-world IP issues from both academic and practical perspectives.”
2. Academic & IPR-Specific Questions
Q: What are the different types of Intellectual Property Rights?
A:
“Patents, trademarks, copyrights, geographical indications, industrial designs, and trade secrets
are the major types. Each protects a different aspect of creativity or innovation—for example,
patents protect inventions, trademarks protect brand identity, and copyrights protect original
literary and artistic works.”
Q: What is the difference between a patent and a copyright?
A:
“A patent protects inventions and requires novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability,
while copyright protects original literary, artistic, and musical works. Patents need registration
and have a limited term (20 years), whereas copyright arises automatically upon creation and
lasts much longer (60 years after the author’s death in India).”
Q: What is a trademark, and why is it important?
A:
“A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing goods or services of one enterprise from those
of another. It can be a word, symbol, logo, or even a sound. It helps in brand recognition,
consumer trust, and prevents unfair competition.”
Q: Can you explain the concept of fair use in copyright law?
A:
“Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted works without permission for purposes like research,
private study, criticism, review, and reporting current events. It ensures balance between the
rights of the author and public access to knowledge.”
Q: Name one landmark IPR case in India.
A:
“In Novartis AG v. Union of India (2013), the Supreme Court rejected Novartis’s patent
application for the drug Glivec, holding that it was merely a modified version of an existing
substance without significant enhancement of efficacy. This case highlighted India’s emphasis
on preventing ‘evergreening’ of patents and protecting affordable access to medicines.”
3. Practical & Skill-Based
Q: How would you conduct IP legal research?
A:
“I would start with the relevant statute—like the Patents Act, Copyright Act, or Trademarks Act
—then use case law databases like SCC Online or Manupatra. I would also refer to WIPO
resources, WTO TRIPS provisions, and academic commentaries for global context. Finally, I
would structure the findings in a concise and practical way.”
Q: If asked to draft a trademark opposition notice, how would you approach it?
A:
“I would begin by reviewing the application under opposition, identify the conflicting grounds
under Sections 9 and 11 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, cite precedents where similar marks were
opposed, and structure the notice with clarity and precision.”
4. Situational & Ethical
Q: Suppose you discover a senior’s draft missed citing a relevant IP case. What will you
do?
A:
“I would politely bring it to their attention, supporting it with the case reference, because
completeness and accuracy in legal drafting are essential in IP practice.”
Q: If you were asked to work on an area of IP you haven’t studied yet, what would you do?
A:
“I would quickly read the relevant provisions from the bare act, look at a few key commentaries
and cases, and then prepare a structured response. IPR often evolves, so adaptability and quick
learning are essential.”
5. Career Goal & Fit
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A:
“I see myself working in a law firm or policy institution specialising in Intellectual Property,
with hands-on expertise in IP litigation and advisory work, contributing to both client solutions
and broader IP policy discourse.”
Q: How will this internship help you?
A:
“It will expose me to real IP research, drafting, and case analysis. It will also give me the chance
to learn from experts and contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects, helping me build a solid
foundation in this specialised field.”
6. Behavioural
Q: How do you handle complex assignments with short deadlines?
A:
“I break the task into smaller parts, prioritise the most urgent components, and focus on
accuracy. I also maintain clear communication with my supervisor to update progress and avoid
misunderstandings.”
Q: How do you respond to feedback?
A:
“I take feedback as a learning tool. In a technical field like IPR, even small drafting or research
improvements matter. I carefully note corrections, apply them, and ensure I don’t repeat
mistakes.”
⚖️Key Tip for IPR Interviews:
Read The Patents Act (1970), Trade Marks Act (1999), Copyright Act (1957) briefly.
Revise TRIPS Agreement basics and WIPO framework.
Remember at least 2–3 landmark IP cases (Novartis v. Union of India, Amarnath Sehgal
v. Union of India, Yahoo! v. Akash Arora, etc.).
Show curiosity about technology, creativity, and law intersection.
👉 Would you like me to now make a crisp “one-pager IP Interview Master Sheet” (memory
hooks + short bullet answers) like we discussed earlier for law internships, so you can revise it
right before the interview without long reading?