No fresh Legal Aid Defence Counsel appointments after Sept 2026: CJIL; Bar Council welcomes move
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 4, 2026: The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana on Monday welcomed the announcement by the Chief Justice of India that no fresh appointments of Legal Aid Defence Counsels will be made after September 2026.
A delegation led by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, comprising representatives of Bar Associations from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh, met the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath, Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), at the Supreme Court to raise concerns over the existing Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS).
During the meeting, members of the Bar Council and representatives of various Bar Associations highlighted the concerns of the legal fraternity regarding the alleged adverse impact of the existing LADCS framework on the independent Bar.
The delegation reiterated resolutions previously adopted by the Bar Council, seeking a review and restructuring of the scheme in the larger interest of the legal profession and access to justice.
According to the Bar Council, the Chief Justice announced that no fresh appointments of Legal Aid Defence Counsels would be made after September 2026. Until a new framework is introduced, legal aid cases will be allocated by District and Sessions Judges to members of the Bar in consultation with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and the concerned Bar Associations.
The Chief Justice also indicated that a new legal aid framework would be formulated after consultations with stakeholders. The proposed scheme is expected to balance the concerns of the legal fraternity while ensuring effective and accessible legal aid for the public.
The Bar Council expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for hearing the delegation and responding positively to the concerns raised. It also thanked Justice Vikram Nath, NALSA, the Bar Council of India, Bar Associations and advocates whose collective efforts contributed to the development.
The Council said it would continue to work with all stakeholders to develop a legal aid system that strengthens access to justice while safeguarding the independence, dignity and sustainability of the legal profession.