DLSA Junagadh has released a recruitment notice for engagement of Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System. The official recruitments listing on the District Court Junagadh website shows 2 posts and confirms that applications are to be submitted offline.
This recruitment is not a general clerical or administrative vacancy. It is a full-time legal aid role intended for practising advocates with substantial criminal law experience. The modified Legal Aid Defense Counsel Scheme used by legal services authorities lays down the core eligibility, work profile and selection framework for this post.
For candidates searching for the essential points first, the main facts are these: there are 2 vacancies, the notice date is 07 April 2026, the last date is 24 April 2026, and the post is for advocates with at least 7 years of criminal law practice who have handled at least 20 criminal trials in Sessions Courts. Some details, such as a separately stated age limit or a locally restated pay figure in the recruitments snippet, are not clearly announced in the official sources checked and should be treated accordingly.
Recruitment Overview
DLSA Junagadh is recruiting for the post of Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System. The official recruitments listing on the District Court Junagadh website shows that there are 2 posts and that applications are to be submitted offline.
This is a full-time legal aid position for experienced advocates working in criminal law. The post is part of the structured legal aid defense system used for representation and assistance in criminal matters for eligible persons.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification date shown in official recruitments listing | 07 April 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 24 April 2026 |
No separate written test date, interview date or result date was clearly announced in the official sources checked.
Vacancy Details
| Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel | 2 |
The official recruitment listing identifies this as a Deputy Chief LADC recruitment for 2 posts in Junagadh.
Eligibility Criteria
The modified Legal Aid Defense Counsel Scheme lays down the core qualifications for Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel. Candidates should carefully match their experience and court work against these requirements.
- Practice in criminal law for at least 7 years
- Excellent understanding of criminal law
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Skill in legal research
- Thorough understanding of ethical duties of defense counsel
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently with others
- Must have handled at least 20 criminal trials in Sessions Courts
- IT knowledge with proficiency in work
The scheme also says the Sessions trial requirement may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances by the Executive Chairman, SLSA. The prescribed application form additionally requires applicants to provide advocate enrollment details and attach the Bar Council enrollment certificate.
What the Deputy Chief LADC Will Do
Under the modified LADCS framework, the Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel handles substantial criminal defense work for legal aid matters. The official scheme describes the role in practical terms rather than only by designation.
- Conduct trials, appeals, remand work and bail applications as assigned
- Visit prisons as part of legal aid work
- File and argue appeals and bail applications in courts
- Maintain complete case files
- Carry out legal research in legal aid cases
- Guide assistant legal aid defense counsel and attached law students in research work
- Conduct proper client interviews at remand, trial and appellate stages
- Perform duties assigned by the legal services authority or by the Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel
Selection Process and Tenure
The local recruitments listing does not separately spell out a district-specific written test or interview schedule. However, the modified LADCS scheme provides the standard selection framework used for these engagements.
Under that framework, selection is merit-based and takes into account knowledge, skills, practice and experience. The selection is carried out by a committee under the chairmanship of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, who is also Chairman of the DLSA, subject to final approval by the Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority.
The scheme states that Legal Aid Defense Counsels are engaged on contract initially for 2 years, with possible yearly extension subject to satisfactory performance. Performance is assessed every six months.
Pay and Service Conditions
The official Junagadh recruitments listing available in search results confirms the post and dates, but it does not clearly restate a fixed local honorarium figure in the snippet available. The broader modified LADCS scheme provides honorarium bands for Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel based on town classification.
| Town Class under Modified LADCS Scheme | Deputy Chief LADC Honorarium |
|---|---|
| Class A towns | Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 75,000 each |
| Class B towns | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 each |
| Class C or remaining places | Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 each |
The applicable amount for the Junagadh engagement should be treated as per the official notification and the governing LADCS norms. The code of ethics and scheme also make clear that this is a full-time role and the engaged lawyer is not expected to continue private legal practice during the term of employment.
Documents Required with the Application
The official prescribed application form for full-time legal aid lawyer engagement asks for educational, enrollment and experience details, along with supporting documents. For Chief and Deputy Chief categories, it specifically asks for additional proof of Sessions Court work.
- Self-attested copies of educational qualification certificates
- Self-attested copy of Bar Council enrollment certificate under the Advocates Act, 1961
- Photo identity proof and address proof
- ITR for the last 3 years, if available
- Photocopies of judgments in 5 Sessions cases represented as defense lawyer
- Photocopies of at least 5 cross-examinations in Sessions cases
- Experience certificate issued by the Bar Association or Bar Council, where applicable in the form
- Bar Association membership certificate for the court where the applicant regularly practises
How to Apply Offline
- Visit the official District Court Junagadh website and open the recruitments section.
- Download the relevant notification and prescribed application form.
- Fill in personal details, educational details, advocate enrollment details and practice record carefully.
- Attach the required self-attested supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application in offline mode as instructed in the official notice.
- Make sure the application reaches on or before 24 April 2026.
Candidates should keep a copy of the filled application and all attachments for their own record. Since this is an offline process, late receipt can lead to rejection.
Confirmed Facts and Unannounced Details
| Confirmed from official sources checked | Not clearly announced in official sources checked |
|---|---|
| Post name: Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel | Separately stated district-specific age limit |
| Total posts: 2 | District-specific written test schedule |
| Application mode: Offline | District-specific interview date |
| Notice date: 07 April 2026 | Result date |
| Last date: 24 April 2026 | Any application fee statement in the official listing checked |
| Core eligibility under modified LADCS scheme | A separately restated fixed Junagadh honorarium in the recruitments snippet checked |
Where the local listing is brief, candidates should rely on the official notification, prescribed form and governing LADCS scheme together rather than depending on summaries from third-party job portals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for DLSA Junagadh Deputy Chief Legal Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply offline is 24 April 2026.
How many vacancies are available in this recruitment?
There are 2 vacancies for Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel.
What is the minimum experience required for Deputy Chief LADC?
The modified LADCS scheme requires at least 7 years of practice in criminal law.
Is Sessions Court trial experience required?
Yes. Candidates should have handled at least 20 criminal trials in Sessions Courts, subject to relaxation in exceptional circumstances.
Is the application online or offline?
The application mode is offline.
Can an engaged Deputy Chief LADC continue private practice?
No. Under the full-time LADCS framework, private practice is not to be continued during the engagement period.
Which documents are especially important for Chief or Deputy Chief applicants?
Along with educational and Bar Council enrollment documents, the form asks for copies of judgments in 5 Sessions cases and at least 5 cross-examinations in Sessions cases.