Litigation for Access and Welfare Fellowship (LAW Fellowship)
Applications for the Litigation for Access and Welfare Fellowship are now open.
Despite India's progressive legal framework for labour rights and social protection, vulnerable migrant workers, especially those from marginalized communities, often remain excluded from accessing justice. They face barriers such as lack of legal literacy, systemic discrimination, weak enforcement mechanisms, and unaffordable or inaccessible legal services.
The Litigation for Access and Welfare Fellowship or ‘LAW Fellowship’ for Labour Justice is an initiative of The Ara Trust to bridge this gap. The Fellowship will engage motivated and committed young lawyers to provide structured legal aid to migrant workers in the Delhi NCR region, ensuring their rights are defended through formal legal mechanisms and informal dispute resolution processes.
By strengthening legal representation for vulnerable workers, the Fellowship seeks to uphold labour rights, prevent exploitation, and make the formal justice system more accessible to marginalized populations.
Introduction
Purpose of the Fellowship
The primary purpose of the Fellowship is:
To provide formal and sustained legal support to vulnerable migrant workers who face exploitation and discrimination in the workplace.
To strengthen access to justice mechanisms for workers through structured legal interventions.
To build a cadre of socially committed legal practitioners who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and sensitivity required to support migrant communities and marginalized groups.
To promote the use of legal strategies, including litigation, mediation, and administrative remedies, in securing labour rights.
To bridge the gap between legal aid and migrant communities, ensuring timely, efficient, and respectful legal assistance.
Objective of the Fellowship
The specific objects of the Fellowship are:
Legal Representation: To provide direct formal litigation support in courts, tribunals, and administrative forums for vulnerable workers whose labour rights are violated.
Client-centered Advocacy: To adopt a rights-based, client-centric approach that empowers the worker, prioritizes their interests, and promotes dignity and non-discrimination.
Strengthening First Line Support: To have legal aid providers work in tandem with paralegal volunteers and community workers, ensuring that beneficiaries receive counselling, documentation support, and informal dispute resolution before formal litigation.
Capacity Building and Training: To ensure that labour lawyers receive training and mentorship in labour law, client handling, evidence collection, ethical practice, and strategic litigation techniques.
Collaboration and Networking: To create a platform where lawyers, paralegals, community workers, and policy advocates work together toward strengthening labour protections and access to justice for migrant workers, engaging with administrative bodies where necessary.
Fellowship Structure and Benefits
Duration: 12 months, renewable based on performance and funding.
Financial Support: A fee of INR 15,000/- per month (subject to applicable taxes) for the professional services rendered.
Casework: Fellows will handle a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 16 legal matters over the Fellowship period, ensuring timely and quality legal representation.
Training and Mentorship: Structured orientation, quarterly meetings, and one-on-one mentorship with senior lawyers and Ara’s legal team.
Opportunities for Professional Growth: Participation in networking events, seminars, publications opportunities, paralegal training programs, and community legal aid activities.
Exposure to Policy and Advocacy: Opportunity to engage with broader systemic challenges affecting migrant workers and contribute to advocacy initiatives.
The LAW Fellowship is not just a professional opportunity — it is a commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of some of India’s most vulnerable workers. By supporting dedicated lawyers through this Fellowship, Ara aims to create a ripple effect — enhancing the capacity of the legal ecosystem to respond to workers’ needs, strengthening rule of law, and building a more just, inclusive society.
Eligibility
Candidates interested in applying for the Fellowship must:
Be enrolled advocates duly registered with the Bar, having cleared the All India Bar Examination. Preference would be given to lawyers who have prior experience in labour matters.
Be authorized to practice before courts and tribunals in Delhi NCR.
Have 1-3 years of litigation experience.
Have working knowledge of labour law, constitutional law, and administrative law.
Demonstrate a commitment to social justice, labour rights, and access to justice.
Be willing to travel for court appearances and client meetings within Delhi NCR.
Uphold principles of confidentiality, non-discrimination, and client-centered practice.
Application Process
Candidates interested in applying must submit their applications via email to recruitments@aratrust.in (with legalaid@aratrust.in in CC) with the subject line "Application – LAW Fellowship 2025-26" by May 25, 2025. Applications received after the deadline shall not be considered.
Applications must include:
A resume (not exceeding two pages).
A statement of purpose in the email body (500 words) explaining their interest in the Fellowship.
Contact details of two professional or academic references.
Any two legal drafts prepared for a legal case, with one being on a labour matter.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview.
Once all the interviews have been completed, Ara shall announce the names of the candidates finalized for the Fellowship.
The Ara Trust is an equal opportunity hirer and follows the practice of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in its recruitments. Women and persons from marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.