Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel, And Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel At District Legal Service Authority, Dhar

Table of Contents

• Role overview
• Post details and vacancies
• Eligibility criteria
• Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel
• Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel
• Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel
• Key responsibilities (implied from qualifications)
• Application process and deadline
• Why these roles matter
• Quick reference table
• Application checklist

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dhar, Madhya Pradesh has invited offline applications for three levels of Legal Aid Defence Counsel positions—Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant—to strengthen legal aid services for undertrial prisoners and accused persons, with applications due by 30 December 2025.​

Role overview

These posts are central to the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) mandate under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which requires every DLSA to empanel competent defence counsel to provide free legal aid to eligible persons in criminal cases. The Chief and Deputy Chief positions involve leadership, supervision, and quality assurance of legal aid defence work, while Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsels form the frontline of representation in sessions courts and magisterial courts across the district.​

Post details and vacancies

• Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel: 01 post
• Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel: 02 posts
• Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel: 03 posts

All positions are based at the Office of the District Legal Services Authority, District Court Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, and are empanelled on a contractual/honorarium basis under the supervision of the District & Sessions Judge and the Executive Chairman, SLSA.​

Eligibility criteria

Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel

• Practice: Minimum 10 years of active practice in criminal law.​
• Trial experience: Must have handled at least 30 criminal trials in Sessions Courts; this condition may be relaxed in appropriate circumstances by the Hon’ble Executive Chairman, SLSA.​
• Skills: Excellent oral and written communication, deep understanding of criminal law, thorough knowledge of ethical duties of a defence counsel, leadership and team-management capability, and ability to manage the legal aid office efficiently.​
• IT knowledge: Preferable (computer system familiarity).​

Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel

• Practice: Minimum 7 years of practice in criminal law.​
• Trial experience: Must have handled at least 20 criminal trials in Sessions Courts; this may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances by the Hon’ble Executive Chairman, SLSA.​
• Skills: Excellent understanding of criminal law, strong legal research skills, excellent oral and written communication, thorough grasp of defence counsel ethics, and ability to work effectively in a team.​
• IT knowledge: Proficiency in IT and office work.​

Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel

• Practice: 0 to 3 years of practice in criminal law (suitable for freshers and early-career advocates).​
• Skills: Good oral and written communication, thorough understanding of ethical duties of defence counsel, ability to work effectively with others, excellent writing and research skills.​
• IT knowledge: High proficiency in IT and office work.​

Key responsibilities (implied from qualifications)

While the notification does not list separate duties, the qualifications indicate core functions:

• Chief: Lead the legal aid defence team, supervise Deputy and Assistant counsels, manage office operations, ensure quality of defence services, and personally handle complex sessions trials.​
• Deputy Chief: Support the Chief in supervision, conduct legal research, assist in trial strategy, and independently handle sessions trials while mentoring junior counsels.​
• Assistant: Conduct legal research, draft pleadings and applications, assist senior counsels in trial preparation, and represent accused persons in magisterial courts and bail matters under supervision.​

All levels must adhere to the ethical duties of defence counsel, maintain confidentiality, and ensure that legal aid is provided efficiently and without delay.​

Application process and deadline

• Mode: Offline application in the prescribed format (available with the DLSA Dhar notification).​
• Address: Office of the District Legal Services Authority, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.​
• Last date: 30 December 2025 (applications must reach by this date).​

Candidates should attach self‑attested copies of their law degree, enrollment certificate, experience certificates (showing years of practice and number of trials handled), and any other supporting documents as per the format.​

Why these roles matter

• Access to justice: Legal aid defence counsels are the backbone of the free legal aid system, ensuring that indigent accused persons receive competent representation, which is a constitutional mandate under Article 39A.​
• Quality assurance: The Chief and Deputy Chief positions bring senior-level oversight, mentoring, and quality control to legal aid work, improving trial outcomes and reducing miscarriages of justice.​
• Career opportunity: For junior lawyers (Assistant level), this is a structured entry into criminal litigation with hands-on trial exposure, supervision, and a modest stipend, building a strong foundation for a career at the Bar or judiciary.​

Quick reference table

Application checklist

• Download the prescribed application format from the DLSA Dhar notification.
• Prepare self‑attested copies of LL.B. degree, Bar Council enrollment, and experience certificates showing years of practice and number of trials handled (for Chief/Deputy).
• For Assistant level, include internship or chamber experience certificates if available.
• Ensure IT proficiency is highlighted in the application (mention software skills, research tools).
• Submit the completed application to DLSA Dhar well before 30.12.2025; retain a copy and proof of submission.

Official Notification: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3ec054b26dc4663ccf960c8538d595d0a/uploads/2025/12/2025121339.pdf