About Consultant Litigation (Square Circle Clinic), NALSAR
NALSAR University of Law (‘University’) through The Square Circle Clinic is seeking to engage on a contractual basis, three Consultants (Litigation) at its New Delhi office. These are full-time positions based in New Delhi, and the contract will be for one year, initially extendable on a yearly basis at the discretion of the University. The Associates will be responsible for working on cases being handled by The Square Circle Clinic, primarily concerning prisoners sentenced to death.
About NALSAR Square Circle Clinic & Project 39A, Delhi NLU
The Square Circle Clinic is a criminal justice initiative at NALSAR University of Law, with offices in New Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, and Hyderabad. The Square Circle Clinic undertakes pro bono criminal defense of prisoners sentenced to death and also undertrials, research and public engagement efforts on issues relating to the death penalty, forensics, criminalisation and punishment, prevention of torture, legal aid, and mental health and criminal justice. The founders, leadership group, and the full-time staff members at The Square Circle Clinic carried on the abovementioned criminal justice work as Project 39A and moved to NALSAR in April 2025.
About the litigation initiative: NALSAR Square Circle Clinic
The Square Circle Clinic (The Clinic) provides pro bono legal representation to prisoners sentenced to death across the country, including prisoners who are challenging the rejection of their mercy petitions by the Governor or the President. Additionally, the Clinic is involved in strategic litigation aimed at challenging procedural and substantive aspects of the criminal justice system for the realisation of constitutional rights of prisoners sentenced to death. Litigation associates brief eminent senior advocates or experienced criminal defense advocates in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Responsibilities:
- Draft criminal appeals, review petitions, writ petitions, applications, rejoinders, mercy petitions, and other legal documents.
- Brief and assist senior advocates, advocates on record, and experienced criminal practitioners in cases before the Supreme Court, various High Courts and trial courts.
- Devise legal strategy and arguments for cases handled by The Square Circle Clinic and carry out related research.
- Visit prisons across India to conduct detailed interviews with prisoners sentenced to death, their families as part of developing legal strategy in particular cases.
- Regularly communicate with prison authorities to obtain case specific information and documents.
- Present the work of The Square Circle Clinic at appropriate fora.
- Contribute to the research and strategic efforts at The Square Circle Clinic as and when required.
- Organise training workshops and conferences.
- Any other work that may be necessary to further the aims of The Square Circle Clinic.
Qualifications: NALSAR Square Circle Clinic Litigation Consultant Vacancy 2025
- Graduate with an LLB degree and enrolment with any State Bar Council.
- Those with full-time criminal litigation experience of two years or more at the appellate stage will be given preference.
- Ability to read/ write/ speak different Indian languages will be preferred but is not mandatory.
- This is a full-time position based in Delhi.
Compensation: NALSAR Square Circle Clinic
The compensation will be competitive and will be commensurate with experience. The minimum pay for this role is Rs. 65,000 per month.
Application Process: NALSAR Project 39A Litigation Consultant Vacancy 2025
- Applications are accepted only through the online application form available at the link provided below. Through the online application form, interested persons will be required to upload their resumé and a statement of purpose, explaining their interest in representing prisoners sentenced to death and the contribution that they see themselves making through this position.
- The statement of purpose must not exceed 750 words.
Instructions: NALSAR Project 39A Litigation Consultant Vacancy 2025
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email. If you do not hear from us within three weeks after the deadline, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, we cannot reply to individual queries on the status of applications.
- NALSAR University of Law is an equal opportunity employer and The Square Circle Clinic ensures access to pro bono legal representation for prisoners regardless of the offence.
- NALSAR University of Law reserves the right to conduct additional rounds of interviews or written tests or simulation exercises.
- NALSAR University of Law reserves the right to conduct interviews/ written tests/ simulation exercises etc and not fill these positions.
- The position shall be paid under the grants received by The Square Circle Clinic, NALSAR University of Law.
Contact: NALSAR Square Circle Clinic & Project 39A
For any query, please write to us at squarecirclerecruitment@nalsar.ac.in.
