DLSA Junagadh Deputy Chief LADC Recruitment 2026

About This Job

DLSA Junagadh is hiring 2 Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel posts under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS). If you are a lawyer with at least 7 years of Criminal Law practice and have handled at least 20 Sessions Court criminal trials, this is your chance to serve as a full-time public defender. You must apply offline — download the form, fill it, and submit it physically at the DLSA Junagadh office by 24 April 2026 (5:00 PM). The monthly honorarium ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000.

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Junagadh — Deputy Chief LADC Recruitment 2026 — 2 Posts

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Junagadh, under the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA), has announced the launch of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) in Junagadh district. This system, introduced under NALSA's Modified Scheme 2022, creates a full-time public defender office to provide free criminal legal aid to eligible persons — from arrest and remand through trial and appeal. Lawyers engaged will work exclusively for legal aid purposes and cannot maintain a private practice during their tenure. The post is on a contractual basis for 2 years, extendable yearly on satisfactory performance.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You must be a lawyer enrolled with the Bar Council (LLB degree is required; LLM is an advantage). Enrollment certificate under the Advocates Act, 1961 is mandatory.
• Criminal Law Practice: You must have practised in Criminal Law for at least 7 years.
• Sessions Court Experience: You must have handled at least 20 Criminal trials in Sessions Courts. This requirement may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances by the Hon'ble Executive Chairman, SLSA.
• Communication Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Legal Research: Demonstrated skill in legal research is necessary.
• IT Knowledge: Basic IT proficiency and computer knowledge are required.
• Ethics: You must have a clear disciplinary record — no Bar Council disciplinary action, no criminal convictions or pending FIR.

Age Limit

• No specific age bar mentioned in the notification. The application form reference date is 01 August 2022.

Salary / Honorarium

• Monthly honorarium (retainership fee): Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 per month (applicable for Class-B towns with population between 2 lakh and 10 lakh, which covers Junagadh).
• You will also get 15 days paid leave in a calendar year on a pro-rata basis.
• Note: You cannot maintain private legal practice during the engagement period.

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

Selection is purely merit-based. There is no written examination.

1. Application Scrutiny: Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee chaired by the Principal District and Sessions Judge (Chairman, DLSA), with at least three senior judicial officers dealing mainly with criminal/sessions cases.
2. Merit Evaluation: Selection takes into account your knowledge, skills, criminal law practice, and experience. You must submit copies of 5 Sessions case judgments (as defence lawyer) and 5 cross-examinations in Sessions cases.
3. Final Approval: Shortlisted candidates need final approval by the Executive Chairman, GSLSA (Gujarat State Legal Services Authority).
4. Contract Execution: An engagement contract is executed between the Secretary, DLSA and the selected person.

How to Apply

1. Go to junagadh.dcourts.gov.in and download the application form for Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel.
2. Fill in the application form carefully with accurate details.
3. Attach all required self-attested documents (see Documents section).
4. Submit the completed application form in person at the DLSA Junagadh (Jilla Kanooni Seva Satta Mandal, Junagadh) office.
5. The last date for submission is 24 April 2026 by 5:00 PM. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
6. Before filling the form, check the guidelines available at junagadh.dcourts.gov.in.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 7 April 2026
• Application Start Date: 7 April 2026
• Last Date to Submit Application: 24 April 2026 (by 5:00 PM)

• Conduct criminal trials, appeals, remand hearings, and bail applications in Sessions and other courts as assigned by the Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel
• File and argue bail applications and appeals in criminal courts on behalf of legal aid beneficiaries
• Maintain complete and up-to-date case files for all assigned legal aid matters
• Perform legal research in legal aid cases and guide Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsels and attached law students
• Conduct client interviews at remand, trial, and appellate stages for quality representation and documentation
• Visit prisons in the district as directed by the Secretary, DLSA to assist unrepresented inmates
• Assist in developing defence strategies after reviewing prosecution evidence and consulting the accused
• Follow the code of ethics prescribed by the Bar Council of India and the SLSA/DLSA during the entire term of engagement