ALLIED DESIGN

The office space is composed of individual offices and conference room for meetings A reception area offers a waiting space with  shared open cubicle like workspaces for the associates. The hallway is lined with framed certificates, artwork, and shelves containing legal files leading to the main workspace. The space is equipped with computers and desk space which is continuous promoting both individual and collaborative work, making it an ideal space for drafting documents. The space acts as one so it's easier to communicate and hear opinions, ask questions and observe everything closely. Most of the days I shared the desk with an associate assisting her into her daily routine.

In the beginning it was a very new environment, a very fast paced one so there have been times in the last two months where I was given a task and by the time I would finish the advocate would be finished with many other things and sometimes even in a different place no longer needing what was asked of me, it was a little difficult to catch up at first, I had to be very observant and quick at what I did and practice made it better. The reason I loved my time here at this firm was not only because I developed an interest in the Legal Profession. I saw how the court works, how are the documents drafted, why are they necessary, what the firm does in order to help the clients. But mainly because I got to know information which i didn't even know about my own field! So it was really nice to see the kind of work I could be engaged in after I graduate. So in a nutshell it gave me the answers to questions I had never even thought of! 

FILING SYSTEM & THE PROCESS

Along with maintaining files I mainly worked in creating Title Search Reports, these reports are done by the Advocate before you buy a property to make sure there are no problems like ongoing loans on the property. I helped in taking these searches from various sites like RERA, IGR, Apli Chawadi, Bhulekh Mahabhumi. The details of the property submitted in the client files are verified using them. 

I also attended property related discussions with clients in Adv. Manish’s cabin, I observed closely what documents are needed in the transfer and how they are made like sale deed, gift deed, TDR, Development Agreement Some of the sites gave me a chance to look at survey maps,village,measurement maps. I also helped in editing and formatting of drafts. I was able to get a closer look on the role of the Architect while making a building and gain knowledge of the documents required for any legal process related to property.

PROPERTY TRANSFER

I live in a cooperative housing society in Mumbai, I didn’t really know what that truly meant until I interned at this firm, I remember before the landlord agreed for me to live there, he said he had to consult with the society and I found that quiet weird, because if someone were to rent my house in Nashik, it would only be my parents decision, but here in a co-operative housing society it means that the flat I live in is owned by the society and me and my landlord just have occupancy rights that is if the society allows, so if you wish to do anything in the flat, it can be done with permission of the society. Even in the 7/12 of this, all the occupants are registered as members and the society is the owner. Whereas in my house in Nashik which is under Maharashtra Ownership of Flats Act, we are the owners and don’t need any permission from anyone else. A leave and license agreement was formed in between me and my landlord which states that I can occupy the flat for the specific period of 5 years and I have no interest in the property and will leave after the time period is over, this was made with the help of Easements Act, and in my time living in the flat I will follow all rules set by the society which is called Covenants of the Agreement, failing to follow them the society can remove me by sending a notice even if it is before the time period ends. This agreement acts as security from both ends, which means my landlord can’t kick me out nor can I leave, so it guarantees me a place to live and my landlord rent for the next 5 years and also guarantees him that I will leave the place once the time ends which reduces the chances for court disputes in the future.

When these societies are formed a document called Building Declaration is created which has the number of flats, the owners and their share of area in the plot is declared along with their voting percentage. 

Voting percentage depends on how much percent your construction is, in ratio to the total area. If the plot is 1000 sqm and one flat is 100 sqm so there can be 10 owners which means they each have 10% voting rights, if someone owns 2 flats then it is 20%. If you are living on rent basis you don't have these rights, the owner of the flat does. These type of documents also are something I observed in the firm and my life. 

UDCPR is the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulation are the set of rules which an Architect needs to followed while     making building plans so the Corporation will not give permission so the construction cannot start. Similarly, there is a National Building Code states how the buildings in the space needs to look a certain way, for e.g.– All buildings in Jaipur have to be pink. The open space around the building need to be wide enough so a fire brigade car can move and have water tanks, and even the floors in the building depends on the height of the ladder of the fire brigade car in case of a fire. Another rule we as architects have to follow is Floor Space Index (FSI). It is the amount of area in sqm of how much construction is allowed per 100 sqm, this is decided on the compactness of the area. If i am allowed to build FSI 1 but only want to build 0.5, then i can sell the rest by a document TDR  Transferable Development Rights Sale Deed and its title is checked and made by this firm.                               We had visited a village called Mategoan in the study trip in the first year, after interning at this firm i realize that UDCPR rules are not followed here because it is a village from before UDCPR was formed. Due to this, there is no community living there, no sewage treatment, very less houses had washrooms and drinking water so the pipeline and plumbing was less, the distance between two houses is very less and there were no hospitals. All of this results in the Easement Rights of the villagers to get infringed. UDCPR’s main purpose is to allow everyone to have optimum utilization of the place and this village just like many others are deprived of that.

Interning at this office gave me an interesting insight and perspective into Legal and Architecture field which made me realise that both of these fields in a way are similar ,both taking strategic planning, following rules, precision & attention to detail with the goal being same that is helping people. It was very interesting to observe and meet new and all different kinds of people from various communities and spaces each one different than the last, all struggling towards getting the basic rights which they deserve.The main learning from this experience was the events that take place in the property before and after the role of the Architect. I observed how each document is made and studied their importance. The main objective that was achieved was that I got a gist of how the building is actually made, what are the documents needed and why do court disputes happen sometimes and what can be done to reduce them but mainly I understood how I am legally expected to make a building and that an Architect’s job does not end when plan is finished, I will actually have to get all documents sanctioned like tentative and final layout, NA order, plan and Architect’s/ Completion Certificate stating I have followed UDCPR rules in the building after which the Corporation gives Occupancy Certificate. Making a layout usually means getting a community living. I as an architect should know basic law principles like town planning act, corporation act, building bylaws, UDCPR because it gives you a fair idea on how a building should be. What I also learnt in this office is that locality is very important, I have to check my surroundings and then make my building making sure that I’m not infringing the Easementary and Fundamental Rights of my client or the people around me which are road, right to have water, light, ventilation, privacy etc. Interning at this firm changed my thinking towards Law as a profession and gave me a deeper knowledge of the field, before joining I had no idea that just like you have to do so much research before buying a plot, even the bank needs to do research about you and said the plot before sanctioning a loan and this search is very important because there can be people who are trying to hide something which this office needs to find. It was really new and fruitful experience seeing the inner workings of the Court and an Advocate’s office and I have developed a keep interest in it. 

PRESENTATION