At the Supreme Court complex in New Delhi, the usually quiet training wing saw unusual activity last week as officials released a 423-page “Training Module for Legal Aid Defense Counsel”, a detailed manual aimed at reforming how free legal representation is delivered across India. The module-prepared by the Centre for Research and Planning (CRP), Supreme Court of India-arrived after months of consultation and field assessments.
For a system long criticised for patchy representation and overworked panel lawyers, this module feels like a moment of course-correction. One senior official casually remarked, “We needed something solid, something practical. This is the first time LADCs have a proper handbook that talks real practice, not theory.”
Why the Module Was Necessary
The document acknowledges that the earlier “panel lawyer” model suffered from inconsistent availability and low accountability, making poor accused persons wait endlessly for basic updates in their cases. The Supreme Court-backed LADCS model, introduced nationally in 2022, shifted to full-time, office-based defense counsels, much like public defenders in other countries. The new module now becomes the operational playbook for this system, covering everything from ethics to jail visits.
The Executive Summary bluntly states that access to justice is a constitutional mandate under Article 39A, and that this module is designed to help LADCs “effectively provide legal services… while leveraging modern tools of legal practice such as e-filing and online research.”
What the Training Module Contains
The manual spreads across six structured parts, dealing with:
- Legal aid framework-including constitutional duties, landmark judgments like Hussainara Khatoon and Sukh Das, and eligibility under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
- Core lawyering skills-drafting, cross-examination, client counselling, and media engagement.
- Rights of accused persons-stage-wise duties at arrest, remand, bail, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
- Evidence law, especially changes under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
- Digital court systems-e-filing, e-SCR, online payments, and cause-list tracking.
- Legal research basics-primary and secondary sources, and verification of precedents.
A small but striking detail appears early: the module recommends ice-breaker sessions and role-plays in every training batch-something rarely associated with government training manuals. But as one trainer joked after the launch, “If lawyers don’t talk, how will they defend?”
Focus on Vulnerable Accused
One of the strongest sections is on vulnerable groups-children, persons with disabilities, women, and prisoners. The module cites the recent Suhas Chakma v. Union of India ruling, where the Supreme Court emphasized that legal awareness and assistance inside prisons are an essential extension of Article 21.
It also instructs LADCs to conduct regular jail visits, maintain detailed case files, and ensure every client understands the status of their case-something ground lawyers say has been missing for decades.
Strict Duties and Monitoring of LADCs
The module lists clear responsibilities for Chief, Deputy, and Assistant LADCs-case strategy, research, prison visits, trial work, record maintenance, and constant communication with beneficiaries. It also describes a transparent monitoring regime involving monthly DLSA reviews, quarterly SLSA audits, and performance appraisals every six months. Final LADCS Training Module
A CRP officer present at the launch commented, “This system won’t work if lawyers vanish after filing a bail. Monitoring is key.”
The Official Decision / Order
The Supreme Court of India, through its Centre for Research and Planning, formally released the “Training Module for Legal Aid Defense Counsel, November 2025,” announcing that it will serve as the authoritative national training resource for all LADCs across districts, complementing existing NALSA modules and immediately coming into use for upcoming training cycles.
Title: Training Module for Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC)
Document Type: Training Module / Official Manual
Issuing Authority: Supreme Court of India – Centre for Research and Planning (CRP)
Publication Date: November 2025
Purpose: To train and guide Legal Aid Defense Counsels under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS)
Beneficiaries: Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Trainers, and Legal Services Authorities (NALSA/SLSA/DLSA)