In compliance with the directions of the Member Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Udhampur, organized a training programme for the newly engaged supporting staff of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), here today.
The programme was conducted at the Conference Hall, District Court Complex, under the guidance of Chairperson District Legal Services Authority and Principal District & Sessions Judge Kalpana Revo and under the overall supervision of Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Sumati Sharma.
The training was coordinated by Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel Pawan Gupta. He emphasized the critical role of supporting staff in ensuring timely legal assistance and facilitating effective coordination between defence counsel and beneficiaries. He also highlighted that well-trained support personnel are essential to the effective functioning of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) and to safeguarding the rights of under trial and indigent clients.
The training curriculum addressed key operational and administrative areas necessary for efficient legal aid delivery.
Topics covered included case-file management; client interviewing techniques; accurate record-keeping; duty roster procedures and the operational aspects and workflows of the LADCS.
Practical guidance and best-practice tips were imparted to help staff streamline documentation and case-tracking and to ensure compliance with applicable procedures and standards.
Further, the Chief LADC urged participants to maintain strict confidentiality in all matters, to enhance client communication and to adopt systematic documentation practices to expedite assistance to undertrial and indigent clients. The programme brought together the newly engaged supporting staff of the LADC and is expected to contribute significantly to improved access to justice and more effective delivery of legal aid services in the district.