DLSA Shivamogga Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel Recruitment 2026

Important Dates

The official notification gives a clear timeline for receipt of applications, scrutiny and interview-related steps. Candidates should focus first on the application deadline because late applications will not be considered.

Applications received after the due date and time are liable to be rejected, even if they were dispatched earlier.

Vacancy Details

The vacancy is for the Legal Aid Defense Counsel Office of DLSA Shivamogga. The detailed vacancy table in the official PDF lists 3 Deputy LADCS posts for Shivamogga.

The notification also states that the number of Deputy and Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsels may be increased or decreased based on the requirement of individual districts.

Eligibility Criteria

The Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel post is meant for experienced lawyers with criminal law practice. Candidates should apply only if they can prove their practice, enrolment and relevant case-handling experience through documents.

Although the notification focuses on practice and experience, candidates should also have proper Bar Council enrolment and supporting documents as required in the application format.

Honorarium and Contract Nature

The post carries a monthly honorarium. For Shivamogga, the official honorarium table places the Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel honorarium at ₹45,000 per month.

The engagement is on contract basis. The detailed instructions state that vacant posts are to be filled for a period of one year on monthly salary, with extension on yearly basis depending on satisfactory performance and requirement.

Applying for the engagement does not create any right or assurance of appointment. Final engagement is subject to the selection process and approval by the competent authority.

Scope of Work

The Legal Aid Defense Counsel Office deals with legal aid matters in criminal cases at the district headquarters. The work is full-time and is connected with legal assistance from early stages of criminal justice up to trial and appeal-related stages.

• Providing legal advice and assistance to persons approaching the office.
• Conducting trials and appeals in criminal courts as assigned.
• Handling remand and bail work.
• Providing pre-arrest legal assistance where required under applicable schemes.
• Visiting prisons under the guidance of DLSA.
• Doing legal aid work assigned by the Member Secretary, DLSA.

The role is different from normal private practice because the selected counsel will work within the institutional legal aid system.

Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel Job Profile

The Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel will assist in criminal legal aid matters and may be assigned trial, appeal, remand, bail and prison-visit work by the Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel or the authority.

• Conducting trials, appeals, remand work and bail applications.
• Filing and arguing appeals and bail applications in courts.
• Maintaining complete case files.
• Doing legal research in legal aided cases.
• Guiding Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsels and law students attached to the office.
• Interviewing clients properly at different stages for effective representation.
• Performing any other work assigned by the Legal Services Authority.

The work profile requires both court practice and disciplined documentation because legal aid cases are monitored through the institutional framework.

Selection Process

The selection process will be conducted by DLSA under the guidance of KSLSA. The selection committee is chaired by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, who is the Chairman of DLSA.

To be considered for selection, a candidate must score at least 40 percent of the total marks. Candidates scoring below the minimum passing marks cannot be proposed as selected or wait-listed candidates.

How to Apply Offline

Candidates must use the prescribed application form and submit it with self-attested copies of documents to the concerned District Legal Services Authority.

1. Open the official DLSA Shivamogga or KSLSA recruitment notification PDF.
2. Read the eligibility, work profile, honorarium, contract conditions and selection rules.
3. Download and print the prescribed application form.
4. Fill in personal details, educational details, Bar Council enrolment details and practice experience carefully.
5. Attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
6. Submit the application to the Member Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Shivamogga.
7. Use speed post, envelope submission or personal submission as permitted in the notification.
8. Ensure the application reaches on or before 08 May 2026 by 5:00 PM.

Candidates should keep a photocopy of the filled application and proof of submission for future reference.

Application Submission Address

The notification directs candidates to submit the filled application form with self-attested documents to the concerned District Legal Services Authority only.

Applications received after the due date will not be considered. Candidates should not wait until the final day if they are sending the application by post.

Documents to Attach

The official application format asks candidates to support their qualification, enrolment and practice details with documents. Candidates should attach clear self-attested copies.

• Filled and signed application form.
• Certificates supporting educational qualifications, including law degree details.
• Certificate of enrolment issued by the Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961.
• Photo identity card and address proof.
• Experience certificate from Bar Association or Bar Council, where applicable.
• Documents supporting number and nature of criminal cases handled.
• Details or photocopies of judgments in Sessions cases represented as defence lawyer, if applicable.
• Photocopies of cross-examinations in Sessions cases, if applicable.
• ITR for the last 3 years, if available.
• Any document showing earlier empanelment with HCLSC, DLSA or TLSC, if applicable.

The documents should match the claims made in the application. Unsupported claims of experience or case handling may not be considered during scrutiny.

Important Conditions for Selected Counsel

The selected Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel will have to follow the conditions of the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System. These conditions are important because the role is full-time legal aid work.

• The counsel will not be allowed to take private cases or any other retainership during the term of engagement.
• The counsel must follow the code of ethics applicable to lawyers.
• The counsel must not seek or accept any payment or benefit from legal aid seekers or their relatives.
• The counsel must maintain confidentiality and professional discipline.
• Performance may be monitored and evaluated by DLSA and KSLSA.
• Services may be terminated for breach of duty, misconduct, unethical conduct, incapacity to render required professional service or other grounds stated in the scheme.

Candidates should apply only if they are ready to work full-time within the legal aid structure and comply with these restrictions.

Official Links

• Official Notification PDF
• DLSA Shivamogga Recruitment Page
• DLSA Shivamogga Information Page
• Karnataka State Legal Services Authority
• National Legal Services Authority