DLSA Ahmednagar Legal Aid Defense Counsel 2026

About This Job

DLSA Ahmednagar has released notification for 1 Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel post on contract basis in the District Legal Services Authority, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Qualified Advocates or Panel Lawyers with 0 to 3 years of criminal law practice can apply offline. The last date to submit your application is 02 April 2026. The monthly salary is Rs. 35,000.

DLSA Ahmednagar Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ahmednagar has invited applications for engaging a qualified Advocate or Panel Lawyer as Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel. This engagement is under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System as directed by the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) vide order No. MSLSA/2026/1059 dated 17 March 2026. The initial contract is for one year, renewable based on satisfactory performance reviewed every six months. A wait list of 3 candidates will also be prepared. If you are a young lawyer looking to build your career in criminal defense through legal aid work, this is a solid opportunity to gain courtroom experience.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You must be a qualified Advocate or Panel Lawyer enrolled with the Bar Council.
• Experience: You should have 0 to 3 years of practice in criminal law.
• Communication: Good oral and written communication skills are required.
• Ethics: You need a thorough understanding of ethical duties of defense counsel.
• IT Skills: You must have high proficiency in IT and computers for your work.
• Research: Excellent writing and research skills are expected.
• Teamwork: You should be able to work effectively and efficiently with others.

Note: Qualifications may be relaxed for exceptional candidates with the approval of the Executive Chairman, SLSA.

Age Limit

• Age will be calculated as on 01 April 2026.
• No specific age limit has been mentioned in the notification. The requirement is 0 to 3 years of practice in criminal law.

Salary

• Selected candidate will receive a fixed salary of Rs. 35,000 per month.
• The engagement is on a contract basis for 1 year, extendable based on performance.
• You will be entitled to 12 days leave per calendar year on a pro-rata basis.
• No remuneration will be paid for absence beyond the admissible leave period.
• Unused leave cannot be carried forward or encashed.

Application Fee

• No application fee has been mentioned in the notification.

Selection Process

The selection will be done through a merit-based process:

1. Application Scrutiny: All submitted applications will be examined for completeness and eligibility.
2. Merit Assessment: Selection will be purely based on merit, taking into account your knowledge, skills, practice experience, and qualifications as per NALSA guidelines under the Modified Scheme, 2022.
3. Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview. The selection committee will include at least three senior judicial officers posted at the District HQ, headed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge (Chairman, DLSA).
4. Document Verification: You will need to bring original certificates and testimonials to the interview.

The eligible candidate list for interview will be published on the Ahmednagar District Court website tentatively by 10 April 2026.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form from the official Ahmednagar District Court website at ahmednagar.dcourts.gov.in.
2. Fill in the application form completely in the prescribed format.
3. Attach self-attested copies of all educational qualification certificates.
4. Attach self-attested copy of your Bar Council enrollment certificate.
5. Attach a passport-size photograph and copies of Photo ID and Address Proof.
6. Attach self-attested copies of ITR for the last 3 years (if available).
7. Include photocopies of 5 judgments in Sessions cases where you appeared as Defense Lawyer (if applying for Chief/Deputy post experience is relevant).
8. Include photocopies of at least 5 cross-examinations in Sessions cases (if applicable).
9. Send or deliver the completed application with all documents to: Chairman / Principal District Judge, District Legal Services Authority, ADR Building, District Court Campus, Ahmednagar - 414001 on or before 02 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM).

Incomplete applications will be rejected without assigning any reason. No application will be accepted after the last date.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 20 March 2026
• Application Start Date: 23 March 2026
• Last Date to Submit Application: 02 April 2026 (up to 5:00 PM)
• Eligible Candidate List on Website: 10 April 2026 (tentatively)
• Interview Date: To be announced on ahmednagar.dcourts.gov.in

• File cases and conduct trials in Magistrate trial cases on behalf of legal aid beneficiaries
• Handle remand, bail applications, and other miscellaneous criminal law matters
• Conduct legal research in legal aided cases to build strong defense strategies
• Visit prisons and Legal Aid Clinics as directed by the authority
• Provide pre-arrest legal assistance to suspects at the earliest stage
• Assist the Chief and Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel in managing legal aid cases
• Develop defense strategies by reviewing prosecution evidence and hearing the accused
• Visit crime locations and interact with family members of the accused to strengthen defense
• Handle queries from legal aid seekers and update them on case progress
• Respond to criminal legal queries received over telephone and in person