iti 18 April 2025
Para Legal Assistant/Munshi

ITI Para Legal Assistant/Munshi Syllabus

The ITI Para Legal Assistant/Munshi trade is a one-year vocational training program under the Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS), overseen by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). This non-engineering trade equips trainees with skills in legal documentation, court procedures, basic legal terminology, and administrative support for lawyers, notaries, or legal offices. It covers drafting legal documents, maintaining records, understanding laws, and assisting in case management. The course integrates theoretical knowledge, practical clerical skills, and employability skills to prepare students for roles such as para legal assistants, munshis, or clerks in law firms, courts, or government offices, or for self-employment as legal documentation consultants.

Course Overview

  • Duration: 1 year (2 semesters, each 6 months)
  • NSQF Level: Level 4
  • Eligibility: Minimum 10th grade pass (or equivalent)
  • Objective: To train individuals in providing administrative and documentation support in legal settings, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with basic legal procedures.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 

1. Trade Theory (Theoretical Knowledge)

Covers legal concepts, documentation, and administrative procedures.

  • Semester 1
    • Introduction to Legal System
      • Overview: Role of para legal assistants/munshis in legal processes, importance in courts, law firms, government offices.
      • Scope: Job opportunities in legal support, notary services, documentation centers.
      • Legal Framework: Basics of Indian Constitution, judiciary structure (Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts).
    • Legal Terminology
      • Common Terms: Affidavit, bail, summons, plaintiff, defendant, jurisdiction, injunction, etc.
      • Usage: Understanding terms in court proceedings, legal documents, and client communication.
      • Translation: Converting legal jargon into simple language for clients.
    • Court Procedures
      • Structure: Hierarchy of courts, roles of judges, advocates, court clerks.
      • Processes: Filing cases, serving notices, scheduling hearings, maintaining cause lists.
      • Records: Case diaries, court orders, judgment copies, their significance.
    • Legal Documentation
      • Types: Affidavits, agreements, power of attorney, wills, sale deeds, rent agreements.
      • Components: Structure, mandatory clauses, signatures, attestation rules.
      • Drafting Basics: Clarity, legal compliance, avoiding ambiguity in documents.
    • Office Administration
      • Tasks: Managing appointments, client queries, filing legal papers.
      • Tools: Stationery, computers, printers, scanners for documentation.
      • Confidentiality: Ethical handling of sensitive client information, data protection.
    • Basic Laws
      • Civil Laws: Overview of Indian Contract Act, Transfer of Property Act, Consumer Protection Act.
      • Criminal Laws: Basics of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
      • Others: Introduction to family laws (marriage, divorce), labour laws.
    • Health and Safety
      • Workplace Safety: Ergonomics, fire safety, stress management in legal offices.
      • Data Security: Protecting client files, secure disposal of drafts.
      • Ethics: Integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest, client trust.
  • Semester 2
    • Advanced Documentation
      • Drafting: Petitions, notices, replies, written statements for courts.
      • Verification: Checking document accuracy, attestation, notarization processes.
      • Digital Tools: E-filing, online document submission, legal software basics.
    • Case Management
      • Tracking: Monitoring case progress, deadlines, hearing dates.
      • Coordination: Liaising with advocates, clients, court staff for updates.
      • Records: Maintaining case files, indexing, archiving judgments.
    • Revenue and Property Laws
      • Basics: Land records, mutation, stamp duty, registration processes.
      • Documents: Sale deeds, gift deeds, lease agreements, their legal requirements.
      • Procedures: Assisting in property registration, revenue office interactions.
    • Notary and Attestation
      • Role: Understanding notary public functions, oath administration.
      • Processes: Attesting affidavits, agreements, verifying signatures.
      • Records: Maintaining notary registers, compliance with Notaries Act.
    • Consumer and Labour Laws
      • Consumer Laws: Filing complaints, consumer court procedures, redressal mechanisms.
      • Labour Laws: Basics of Minimum Wages Act, Workmen’s Compensation Act.
      • Applications: Drafting notices, claims for clients in disputes.
    • Digital Literacy in Legal Work
      • Software: MS Office (Word, Excel) for drafting, record-keeping, presentations.
      • Online Tools: E-courts, government portals (e.g., MCA, land records).
      • Cybersecurity: Password protection, secure email, avoiding phishing in legal work.
    • Entrepreneurship and Ethics
      • Business: Starting a legal documentation center, freelance para legal services.
      • Skills: Client communication, marketing, pricing services ethically.
      • Standards: Avoiding misrepresentation, ensuring transparency with clients.

2. Trade Practical (Hands-On Skills)

Focuses on drafting, record-keeping, and legal support tasks in simulated settings.

  • Semester 1
    • Safety Practices
      • Practicing: Setting up ergonomic workstations, handling office equipment safely.
      • Simulating: Confidentiality protocols, secure file storage in labs.
      • Checking: Fire safety, emergency exits in office setups.
    • Legal Terminology Practice
      • Exercises: Identifying terms in sample documents, explaining meanings.
      • Translation: Converting legal phrases into layman’s terms in mock client interactions.
      • Quizzes: Matching terms to definitions, usage in sentences.
    • Document Drafting
      • Preparing: Affidavits, power of attorney, rent agreements in labs.
      • Formatting: Using templates, ensuring proper headings, signatures.
      • Reviewing: Checking drafts for errors, legal compliance in workshops.
    • Court Procedure Simulation
      • Role-Playing: Filing cases, serving notices, attending mock hearings.
      • Documentation: Preparing cause lists, case diaries in lab exercises.
      • Observation: Visiting local courts to understand workflows (if permitted).
    • Office Administration
      • Tasks: Scheduling appointments, organizing files in mock offices.
      • Tools: Using computers, scanners for digitizing documents in labs.
      • Communication: Handling client queries politely in role-plays.
    • Basic Law Application
      • Exercises: Identifying relevant laws in case studies (e.g., contract disputes).
      • Drafting: Notices, complaints based on civil, criminal law basics.
      • Discussions: Ethical dilemmas in legal support, client confidentiality.
    • Project Work
      • Task: Drafting a set of legal documents (affidavit, agreement) for a mock client.
      • Output: Presenting error-free drafts, explaining clauses in labs.
      • Report: Listing steps, tools used, challenges faced.
  • Semester 2
    • Advanced Drafting
      • Preparing: Petitions, written statements, legal notices in workshops.
      • E-Filing: Practicing online submissions on mock e-court platforms.
      • Verification: Attesting documents, checking notarization in labs.
    • Case Management Practice
      • Tracking: Creating timelines, updating case files in mock scenarios.
      • Coordination: Role-playing advocate-client-court interactions.
      • Archiving: Organizing judgments, orders in digital/physical files.
    • Property and Revenue Tasks
      • Drafting: Sale deeds, lease agreements with stamp duty calculations.
      • Simulation: Assisting in mock property registration, mutation processes.
      • Records: Maintaining land record extracts in lab exercises.
    • Notary Assistance
      • Practicing: Preparing affidavits for attestation, oath administration.
      • Documentation: Filling notary registers, verifying signatures in labs.
      • Compliance: Checking documents against Notaries Act guidelines.
    • Consumer and Labour Law Practice
      • Filing: Drafting consumer complaints, labour claims in workshops.
      • Simulation: Attending mock consumer court hearings, presenting cases.
      • Documentation: Preparing evidence lists, notices for disputes.
    • Digital Tools Application
      • Using: MS Word for drafts, Excel for case tracking, PowerPoint for client briefs.
      • Accessing: E-courts, government portals for case status in labs.
      • Security: Practicing secure email, file encryption in mock setups.
    • Field Exposure
      • Visiting: Courts, notary offices, revenue departments for practical insights.
      • Assisting: Shadowing para legal tasks during 2-4 week training.
      • Reporting: Linking observations to syllabus skills in labs.
    • Project Work
      • Task: Managing a mock case (documentation, tracking, client communication).
      • Output: Presenting case file, drafted documents in labs.
      • Portfolio: Case summary, drafts, photos of practical work, client feedback.

3. Workshop Calculation and Science

Supports legal tasks with basic calculations and logic.

  • Semester 1: Arithmetic (stamp duty, court fees), reasoning (legal timelines).
  • Semester 2: Percentages (case budgets), data organization (filing systems).

4. Engineering Drawing

Not applicable; replaced with Legal Drafting and Formats.

  • Semester 1: Templates for affidavits, agreements, notices.
  • Semester 2: Layouts for petitions, e-filing forms, case diaries.

5. Employability Skills

Enhances job readiness and communication.

  • Semester 1: Communication (client interaction), IT skills (MS Office, e-courts).
  • Semester 2: Teamwork (court coordination), entrepreneurship (legal consultancy).

Assessment and Certification

  • Examinations: Semester-wise (theory + practical).
  • Certification: National Trade Certificate (NTC) from NCVT, recognized nationally.
  • Evaluation: Based on drafting accuracy, case management, client interaction, and documentation.

Career Opportunities

  • Employment: Para legal assistant, munshi, court clerk, or legal documentation assistant in law firms, courts, notary offices, or government departments.
  • Self-Employment: Starting a legal documentation center, freelance para legal services, or notary support.
  • Further Studies: Diploma in Para Legal Practice, certificate courses in cyber law, or law-related competitive exams (e.g., court clerk posts).

Note

  • This syllabus aligns with NCVT guidelines but may vary slightly by institution or state.
  • For the latest version, refer to the Directorate General of Training (DGT) or local ITI.

  • Source: Adapted from NCVT CTS framework and legal support industry standards.

     

Trade Type

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