SHILLONG, 4th October, 2024: The Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and the Meghalaya State Judicial Academy organized a One-Day Orientation Training Programme for the Legal Aid Defense Counsels engaged under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) offices on 4thOctober, 2024 (Friday) at the Auditorium, High Court of Meghalaya, Shillong.
The Chief Guest of the occasion was the Hon’ble Mr. Justice HS Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya and Executive Chairman, MSLSA, while speaking on the occasion,it was emphasized that the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System embodies a transformative vision for legal aid in India, striving to ensure that justice is not a privilege for the few, but a fundamental right accessible to all. The anticipated advantages of this innovative model include improved availability and accessibility of legal aid, timely consultations, and a professional approach to case management. The initiative aims not only to provide qualitative legal services from initial arrest through appeals but also to ensure regular visits to correctional facilities to cater to the legal needs of unrepresented inmates.
Justice Thangkhiew also stressed on the Legal Services Authorities Act and NALSA roles in ensuring access to justice for all.
The participants were reminded that the LADCS was officially launched in 9 districts on 24th June, 2023 at Patharkhmah Government Higher Secondary School, Ri-Bhoi district, the benefits of which have recently been rolled out to all the districts in our state. He stated that, under the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) scheme young Lawyers are able to gain great experience in Courts. It also intends to engage students from Law schools through internships, Clinics of Law Colleges through which Law students can be engaged with the Legal Aid Defense Counsel office as to give them meaningful exposure to practical aspects of criminal law including preparing a defense strategy and doing legal research in various factual scenarios. Some of the fields in which students can be involved are:
• Legal research in criminal cases,
• Visiting scenes of crimes,
• Interviewing accused and their family members and other relevant persons,
• Visits of Prisons and Legal Aid clinics,
• Associating in campaign undertaken,
• Assist in sifting through all of the evidence collected by the prosecution and providing effective input for preparing defense strategy.
He further stressed that the legal aid defense counsel system, therefore, is not merely a mechanism for representation. It is a beacon of hope, a promise that every citizen, regardless of their socio-economic status, deserves an advocate—someone to champion their cause, to navigate the complexities of law, and to safeguard their rights.
Among others present were the Hon’ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya & Chairman, HCLSC and Hon’ble Mr. Justice B. Bhattacharjee, Addl. Judge, High Court of Meghalaya
The programme included technical sessions on various important topics such as on Overview of New Criminal Lawsdelivered by Smt. K.M.L Nongbri, MHJS, Director, Meghalaya State Judicial Academy along with Smt. N.I. Dkhar, MJS, Deputy Director, Meghalaya State Judicial Academy.
Smt. B. Kharlukhi, MJS, Secretary, DLSA, East Khasi Hills District spoke on Latest Case Laws on Criminal Procedure.
Shri. F.S. Sangma, MHJS, I/c District & Sessions Judge & Chairman, DLSA, South Garo Hills District delivered on the topics- Electronic/Digital Evidence.
The Legal Aid Defense Counsels, Legal-cum-Probation Officers from across the Districts of the State including Law students actively participated in the orientation training programme.
