Justice Tashi inaugurates two day training for Legal Aid Defence Counsels

JAMMU, February 4: Justice Tashi Rabstan, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Patron-in-Chief/Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority today inaugurated a two day training programme for Legal Aid Defence Counsels (LADCs), organised by J&K Legal Services Authority in collaboration with J&K Judicial Academy at J&K Judicial Academy, Jammu.

Delivering inaugural address, Justice Tashi said that, this programme has been titled as Training Programme but I think the delegates attending the programme don’t require any training as such, because they have already been working as lawyers and defending accused in criminal cases. Through this two day programme we would just like to guide and sensitize all the delegates and give a broad overview of their duties and responsibilities.

He stated that the most important aspect which LADCs have to consider while defending the needy persons is not only the enforcement of their legal rights but also deal with them with a human touch. They should feel comfortable and confident in reposing full faith on LADCs  only then we will be able to achieve the purpose for which the scheme has been designed.

Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in his welcome address, stated that the pristine academic environment of Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy shall serve as the perfect backdrop for this capacity building initiative that has provided an opportunity to train and generate an effective workforce of Legal Aid Defence Counsels. ‘LADCs are infused with sterling qualities of intelligence, commitment, character and of course an unwavering verve and devotion for providing quality legal services which shall holistically strengthen the legal aid regime which is committed towards ensuring the best interest of the marginalized’, he added.

M K Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Justice and Incharge Director, J&K Judicial Academy, gave an overview of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel Scheme. He highlighted some of the perceived advantages of the LADC vis-à-vis Assigned Counsel System.

He said that the objective of the LADC system is to provide qualitative and competent legal services in criminal matters to eligible persons besides managing and implementing legal aid system in s professional manner in criminal matters.

Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority  presented vote of thanks and also conducted the proceedings of the day long programme.

The inaugural session was followed by four technical sessions.

The first session was held on the topic “Overview of the programme and Self-Introduction and Ice breaking” wherein, M K Sharma and Prem Sagar, Secretary HCLSC, Jammu were the resource persons.

The second session dealt with “Legal Aid Services in the Criminal Justice System” wherein, M K Sharma and Yahya Firdous, Secretary DLSA, Jammu were the resource persons.

The third session was conducted on the topic “Leadership & Team Building, Administration and Management of Resources”, wherein, Y P Bourney, Registrar Vigilance, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Amit Kumar Gupta were the resource persons.

The last session of the day dealt with “Interview with the UT/convict, Prison visits, Office culture and Handling interpersonal” wherein, Rajinder Saproo, Registrar Rules, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Mirza Saleem Ahmad Beig, Superintendent, District Jail Jammu were the resource persons.