About the Organisation

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dhar functions under the State Legal Services Authority, Madhya Pradesh and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

DLSA Dhar is responsible for providing free and competent legal aid to eligible beneficiaries, particularly accused persons and under-trial prisoners, in criminal matters, in accordance with the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS), 2022.

About the Post / Opportunity

Applications are invited from eligible advocates for full-time contractual engagement as Legal Aid Defense Counsels under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) for District Dhar

The engagement involves exclusive criminal defence legal aid work and selected candidates shall not engage in private legal practice during the tenure of engagement.

No. of Vacancy

District: Dhar

● Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: 01

● Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: 02

● Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel: 03

(Vacancies may vary as per administrative requirements.)

Roles and Responsibilities

● Providing legal advice, assistance, and representation in criminal matters

● Conducting trials, appeals, bail applications, remand proceedings, and related court work

● Representing accused persons from pre-arrest stage till conclusion of trial and appeals

● Ensuring timely consultation and effective communication with legal aid beneficiaries

● Maintaining case files, documentation, and compliance with LADCS norms

● Supervising and mentoring junior defence counsels (for senior posts)

Eligibility

• Educational Qualification
  • Enrolment as an Advocate with a recognised State Bar Council
• Experience
  • Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: Minimum 10 years’ criminal law practice
  • Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel: Minimum 7 years’ criminal law practice
  • Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel: Minimum 3 years’ criminal law practice
• Additional Requirements
  • Experience in conducting criminal trials and court proceedings
  • Adequate knowledge of ethical duties of defence counsel
  • Basic computer proficiency preferre

Salary / Perk

Monthly Honorarium (Fixed):

● Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel – ₹65,000

● Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel – ₹45,000

● Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel – ₹25,000

● Engagement is purely contractual

● No additional allowances or service benefits are admissibl

How to Apply

• Download the prescribed Application Form from the District Court / DLSA Dhar notice board or the official websites of DLSA / District Court / MP High Court.
• Fill in the application form carefully and completely.
• Attach self-attested copies of all required documents (enrolment certificate, experience certificates, judgments handled, etc.).
• Submit the completed application by post or in person to:
• Office of the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Dhar (M.P.)
• Applications must reach on or before the prescribed deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Location

● District Dhar, Madhya Pradesh

● Posting at District Headquarters; court-related travel within the district may be require

Deadline

30 December, 2025

Access Official Notification here 

Note

Selection shall be made through scrutiny of applications and interview by the Selection Committee constituted under the NALSA (Free and Competent Legal Services) Regulations, 2010, as applicable to the LADCS Scheme, 2022. This is a contractual legal aid engagement and does not confer any right to permanent government employment.