DLSA Ambala Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel 2026

About This Job

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Ambala is hiring 2 Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel on contractual full-time engagement. If you are a lawyer with 1 to 3 years of criminal law practice, you can apply by speed-post or in person. The last date to apply is 11 May 2026 (5:00 p.m.). The honorarium is Rs. 35,000 per month (Class-B town rate). The engagement is for 2 years, extendable based on performance.

DLSA Ambala Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel Recruitment 2026 - 2 Posts

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ambala has invited applications from eligible lawyers for 2 posts of Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel in District Ambala under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel Scheme. Selected lawyers cannot take any private cases or any other retainership during this engagement. The role suits young advocates with criminal practice experience who want stable government legal aid work.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You must be a practising lawyer enrolled with the Bar Council under the Advocates Act, 1961.
• Experience: You should have 1 to 3 years of practice in criminal law.
• Skills required: Good oral and written communication, thorough understanding of the ethical duties of a defence counsel, ability to work effectively with others, excellent writing and research skills, and strong IT proficiency.
• Restriction: Selected counsel cannot take any private cases or other retainership during the engagement.

Age Limit

• Age will be calculated as on 01 September 2025 (as per the application form).
• The notification does not specify a fixed minimum or maximum age, but applicants must be enrolled with the Bar Council and have 1-3 years of criminal practice.

Salary

• Honorarium for Ambala (Class-B town): Rs. 35,000 per month.
• The honorarium is fixed and is paid as per NALSA guidelines for Class-B towns.
• The engagement is for an initial period of 2 years, extendable year to year based on performance.

Selection Process

1. Scrutiny of Application: Applications received before the deadline will be scrutinised for eligibility based on educational qualification, Bar enrolment, and criminal practice experience.
2. Interview / Selection: Shortlisted applicants will be selected by the District Legal Services Authority, Ambala.
3. Document Verification: Original documents will be verified before final engagement.

Merely applying does not create any right or assurance of engagement.

How to Apply

1. Download the application form (Annexure B) from the official website ambala.dcourts.gov.in.
2. Fill in the application form completely with all required details.
3. Attach self-attested copies of: educational qualification certificates, Bar Council enrolment certificate, photo ID and address proof, ITR for last 3 years (if available).
4. Submit the duly filled form along with documents through speed-post or in person.
5. The application must reach the office of the Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Ambala latest by 11 May 2026 before 5:00 p.m.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 18 April 2026
• Application Start Date: 18 April 2026
• Last Date to Submit Application: 11 May 2026 (before 5:00 p.m.)
• Age Reference Date: 01 September 2025

• File cases and conduct trials in Magistrate-level criminal matters
• Handle remand, bail, and other miscellaneous criminal work
• Conduct legal research in legal-aided cases
• Visit prisons and legal aid clinics as per directions
• Provide legal assistance to suspects at the pre-arrest stage
• Assist Chief and Deputy Legal Aid Defense Counsel in conducting legal-aided cases
• Help develop defense strategy by reviewing prosecution evidence and accused statements
• Handle queries from legal aid seekers and update them about case progress