Is LL.B. degree required for legal services committee counsellor post? P&H High Court to decide

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday issued notice on a petition challenging the requirement of law degrees for general counsellors in the High Court Legal Services Committee (HCLSC) [Apurva Banchata and Other v. High Court Legal Services Committee]

Earlier, the post required candidates to only hold a Master’s degree in Psychology.

However, the requirement changed on August 4, when a notification inviting applications for the appointments required candidates to possess both a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Law.

Justice Sudeepti Sharma asked the HCLSC to respond to the petition filed by three general counsellors who said that they have been on contract since 2024 and would be affected by the latest criteria since they only hold Master's degree in Psychology.

The Court listed the matter for hearing on September 01. 

“Reply, if any, be filed before the next date of hearing with a copy in advance to the learned counsel for the petitioners,” it ordered.

General counsellors are engaged on contract basis for counselling parties in matrimonial disputes and matters relating to women, children and senior citizens.

The petition states that there would hardly be anyone who has studied both psychology and law, as a person with only an undergraduate degree in law cannot pursue a Master’s degree in Psychology.

It also argues that there is no rationale for adding a law degree as a qualification for the post of counsellor.

Advocates Gagandeep Kumar Tiwari and Devi Lal represented the petitioners.

Advocate Arjun Shukla represented the respondent. 

[Read Order]