A Report Based on a six weeks Internship Done at the ETA-BESONG Law Chambers at Bonduma-Buea

CHAPTER ONE
1.0. Introduction

Internship (practicum) is of essence for students of Law and all students in the University of Buea. The essence of internship is to get students the practical knowledge they need to know in the field of their studies. Students doing professional programs need to have a taste after theoretical knowledge of the field.
It has become almost a natural characteristic of employers to seek and choose out persons with a practical experience of the job description. Internship is the seal, to close up some of the holes that might prevent a newly graduate from having the job. Hence an internship is also a period of working experience offered by an employer to give students and graduates exposure to the working environment usually within a specific industry which relates to their field of study.
Internship in laws is aimed at boosting the spirit of professionalism and provides good skills in legal practice. It enables students of law to understand wholly how the courts, Law Firms and chambers function, It therefore gives students first-hand information on the legal domain, familiarizes them with legal practice and the society in general.

In partial fulfilment for the award of LL.B. it is required that we undergo internship since it is a compulsory course in Law entitled (Court in Action) and coded law 496
1.1 What is an Internship
Internship is a period when career is set to blend theory with practice that is to relate experience into an under graduate education by participating in planned and supervised work.
Internship is a professional learning experience that offers meaningful practical work related to a student’s field of study or career interest.
1.2 Purpose of Internship
● To blend theory with practice
● To enhance team spirit in interns
● For exposure. Exposure is a must, it teaches you techniques other than writing exams to score high grades
● It involves learning new skills such as time management, maintaining a controlled environment, articulated writing style and speaking skills
● Helps in choosing respective area of interest and hence in specialization
● Helps in the building the CV

1.3 Importance of Internship
There are several reasons why an internship program is important to the student.
● An internship helps the students to understand what he/she has learned in the study room as far as theory is concerned and put into practice what he/she has studied.
● Internship helps widens the internees brain intellectually. This is seen as the student acquires more knowledge of what was taught in class, as he/she meets and interacts with the professionals who are working in the chambers or firms.
● It also allows the students to get the necessary experience needed to work. It increases work experience as well as boost up the CV, so as to give him/her an added advantage when it comes to job experience during vacancies.
● It equally gives the students the opportunity to go to court and attend court sessions to witness different cases in court and to know the various procedures carried out before and during court sessions.

1.4 Law Firm and Law Chamber
A law firm constitutes a group of lawyers who work together as a business. It is like a company which employs lawyers whereas, Law Chambers are rooms used by a Barrister or a group of Barristers.
A Chamber in law could also mean the private office of a judge.

1.5 Functions
The primary service they provide is that they advise their clients, about their legal rights and responsibilities.
Another function is that the chambers is a place where the lawyer hears motions, sign papers, and deals with other financial matters when not in a session of court.
The chambers\law firm is where lawyers draft legal pleadings; give expert opinions on legal aspects of a case

1.6 Synopsis
Chapter two has to do with the Area of internship
Chapter three has to do with the interpretation of statute
Chapter four has to do with the description of internship activities from week 1 to 6
Chapter five has to do with the problems faced, recommendation and conclusion