The certification of an intern by the law school dean:
Section 3-18.—Certification of Intern
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceExplains how a law school dean's certification of a legal intern is filed, how long it lasts, and the ways it can end — whether by the dean, by leaving school, or by the Superior Court.
Full Text of Section 3-18
(1) shall be filed with the clerk of the Superior Court in Hartford and, unless it is sooner withdrawn, shall remain in effect until the announcement of the results of the second Connecticut bar examination following the intern’s graduation. For any intern who passes that examination, the certification shall continue in effect until the date of admission to the bar.
(2) shall terminate if the intern, prior to graduation, is no longer duly enrolled in an accredited law school.
(3) may be terminated by the dean at any time by mailing a notice to that effect to the clerk of the Superior Court in Hartford and to the intern. It is not necessary that the notice to the Superior Court state the cause for termination.
(4) may be terminated by the Superior Court at any time upon notice to the intern, to the dean and to the Superior Court in Hartford.
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 72.)
Plain-English Summary
A dean's certification of a legal intern must be filed with the clerk of the Superior Court in Hartford. Unless withdrawn sooner, it stays in effect until the results are announced for the second Connecticut bar exam following the intern's graduation; if the intern passes that exam, the certification continues until the date of admission to the bar.
The certification ends automatically if the intern, before graduating, is no longer enrolled in an accredited law school. The dean can also terminate it at any time by mailing notice to the clerk of the Superior Court in Hartford and to the intern, without needing to state a reason. And the Superior Court itself can terminate the certification at any time, upon notice to the intern, the dean, and the Superior Court in Hartford.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a legal intern’s certification last?
It remains in effect until the results of the second Connecticut bar exam following the intern’s graduation are announced; if the intern passes, it continues until admission to the bar.
What happens if the intern drops out of law school before graduating?
The certification terminates if the intern is no longer duly enrolled in an accredited law school before graduation.
Can the dean end an intern’s certification without giving a reason?
Yes. The dean can terminate the certification at any time by mailing notice to the clerk of the Superior Court in Hartford and to the intern, and the notice doesn’t need to state the cause.
Can the court end a legal intern’s certification on its own?
Yes. The Superior Court may terminate the certification at any time, with notice to the intern, the dean, and the Superior Court in Hartford.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 3-18). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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