Legal internship: what should you ask before accepting?

Offered a legal internship in Cameroon? Before accepting, understand what you will learn, who will review your work and how the placement is organised. An advert’s title alone does not clarify duties, expenses or expectations.

Use these questions for a professional discussion and clear confirmation. Examples are fictional. Arrangements depend on the placement, organisation and, where relevant, your educational institution.

1. What will my actual duties be?

Ask for examples: research, draft notes or correspondence, contract tracking, document organisation, tax or dispute support. How much time will each occupy? Which responsibilities remain with the supervisor?

“Could you describe a typical week and my initial assignments? Will draft notes and correspondence be reviewed before use?”

Compare duties with your training goals. Administrative support can be useful, but clarify its share if you seek legal practice. Do not undertake to sign or approve documents beyond your role and qualifications.

2. Who will supervise me and how will I develop?

Identify your supervisor, availability and backup contact. Ask how to raise questions, obtain reviews and receive feedback. An unexplained task alone is not a sufficient learning objective.

“Could we schedule regular discussions of my work, corrections and skills to develop?”

Suggest realistic objectives: improving source research, drafting a structured synthesis or maintaining a supervised tracking table. Ask how they will be assessed.

3. What experience is actually expected?

Some internships offer first exposure; others expect professional practice. The OFI legal and tax assistant advert, checked on 18 October 2026, requested two years of accumulated internships. It illustrates why requirements matter beyond the word “internship”. Check current status before applying.

Explain your skills and learning needs honestly. If new to a subject, ask whether supervision supports learning rather than claiming immediate independence.

4. What dates, hours and location apply?

Confirm start and expected end, attendance days, hours and travel. Discuss classes, exams or a dissertation defence before agreeing. For remote work, clarify availability and communication tools.

“I have an exam on [date]. How can we organise that absence? Will travel outside the usual workplace be required, and how is it funded?”

Also clarify extension and early-ending arrangements, any notice specified in documents and whom to inform. Do not assume automatic renewal.

Illustration: Christina Morillo / Pexels.

5. What allowance and expenses are covered?

Ask whether an allowance is provided, its amount, frequency, payment date and method. Clarify transport, meals, communications and spending for the organisation: who authorises reimbursement and which receipts are needed?

“Does the allowance include transport? Are work-related journeys reimbursed separately, and under what procedure?”

Prepare a personal budget. Distinguish a fixed allowance from expense reimbursement and conditional promises. These questions do not establish a legal minimum or rights for every internship; obtain clarification of uncertain legal points for your situation.

6. What documents, protections and confidentiality rules apply?

Ask which document formalises the placement, who signs and which institutional steps are needed. Read clauses and keep your copy. Check incident coverage arrangements and reporting procedures.

Clarify file access, permitted tools, storage, external sharing and return of documents. Ask whether a computer is supplied and how personal devices may be used. Do not send client files to AI tools or personal accounts without appropriate authorisation.

“Which documents may I access and which tools should I use? How should I submit drafts for approval and report a mistaken email?”

7. What review and prospects are planned?

Ask whether a certificate and review will be provided, who prepares them and what they include. If an academic report is required, establish what you can describe and have approved without disclosing confidential information.

Ask whether possible employment depends on an open role and assessment. A prospect is not a firm offer. Do not decide solely on “we will see afterwards”.

8. Request a summary before confirming

“Thank you for the offer. Before confirming, could you summarise dates and hours, duties, supervisor, allowance and expenses, documents to sign and review arrangements? I would like us to start with a shared understanding.”

Clarify unresolved essentials before starting. Verify the organisation and do not pay an unverified contact to reserve a place.

Also browse Kamerjob legal vacancies, our entry-level legal CV guide and interview advice.

Cover: Mikhail Nilov / Pexels. Illustrative stock photographs unrelated to the employer mentioned. Fictional examples to adapt.

The Kamerjob team