Family Court Patiala Counsellor Empanelment 2026 – 10 Posts
- Last Date
- 14 Sep 2026 (Expired)
- Total Posts
- 10
- Apply Mode
- Offline
- Job Type
- Empanelment (3 Years, Honorarium-Based)
Family Court Patiala Counsellor Empanelment 2026
The Family Court, Patiala has invited applications for empanelment as Family Counsellor and Child Counsellor at its Headquarters in Patiala, and at the Camp Courts of Nabha, Samana and Rajpura. This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, honorarium and how to apply.
Important – This Is an Honorarium-Based Empanelment
This is not a salaried government job. Counsellors appointed under this notice are paid an Honorarium or Fee as determined by the State Government from time to time, and the panel is appointed for a fixed term of 3 years, which can be extended by the High Court. Candidates are empanelled, not recruited to a regular post.
Family Court Patiala Counsellor 2026 – Overview
Location-wise Vacancy Details
| Location | Family Counsellor | Child Counsellor |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters, Patiala | 3 | 1 |
| Camp Court, Nabha | 1 | 1 |
| Camp Court, Samana | 1 | 1 |
| Camp Court, Rajpura | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 4 |
Eligibility Criteria
Application Fee
No application fee is mentioned in this notice.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Counsellor
- Work in association with the Family Court to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs.
- Not act or plead for a party to a case, but assist the Court in reaching a peaceful and amicable settlement.
- Attend the Court as and when required by the Judge of the Family Court.
- Aid and advise parties regarding settlement of the dispute, and help them in reconciliation.
- Submit a report or interim report as required by the Court.
- Perform other functions assigned by the Family Court from time to time.
How to Apply
- Obtain the prescribed application form annexed to this notice.
- Fill the form completely, attaching testimonials for your educational qualification and experience.
- Submit the application to the office of the District & Sessions Judge, Patiala, before 4:00 PM on 14 September 2026.
- Report for the interaction with candidates at 11:00 AM on 22 September 2026, at the Office of the Superintendent, District Courts, Patiala.
No TA/DA will be given to candidates for attending the interaction.
Important Terms and Conditions
- The name of a Counsellor may be removed from the panel without prior notice by the Hon’ble High Court, at any time before the expiry of their term.
- The Counsellor shall not act or plead for a party to a case or proceeding.
- The engagement is by empanelment, not regular appointment, and does not carry a fixed salary.
About This Recruitment
Family Courts in India are set up specifically to promote conciliation and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs, and Counsellors play a central role in this conciliation process. Rather than acting as lawyers for either party, a Family Court Counsellor works alongside the judge to help feuding spouses or families reach an amicable resolution, wherever possible, before a case proceeds to a full contested hearing. This recruitment drive by the Family Court, Patiala fills its panel of Counsellors both at its Patiala headquarters and at three Camp Courts serving Nabha, Samana and Rajpura, ensuring conciliation support is available across the district.
Family Counsellor vs. Child Counsellor
While both roles work within the same conciliation framework, a Family Counsellor typically focuses on disputes between spouses or within the wider family, such as maintenance, divorce or property matters, while a Child Counsellor focuses specifically on issues affecting children caught in these disputes, such as custody, visitation rights and the child’s emotional wellbeing during court proceedings. Since each location under this notice has its own separate vacancy for both roles, candidates should apply specifically for the counsellor category and location that matches their background and preference.
Preparing for the Interaction
Since the notice describes this stage as an “interaction” rather than a formal written examination, candidates should be ready to speak clearly about their relevant experience in family or child welfare work, and demonstrate an understanding of how conciliation differs from adversarial litigation. Bringing organized proof of prior social work, research or teaching experience, along with clear documentation of educational qualifications, can help candidates present their case effectively within a short interaction window, since the panel will be assessing suitability for a role that depends heavily on interpersonal and mediation skills rather than academic performance alone.
Important Links
Why Camp Courts Also Need Their Own Counsellors
The Family Court, Patiala runs Camp Courts at Nabha, Samana and Rajpura to bring family dispute resolution closer to litigants who live outside the district headquarters, rather than requiring every family in the district to travel to Patiala city. Since each Camp Court handles its own case load, it needs its own Family and Child Counsellor rather than sharing one from the headquarters, which is why this notice separately advertises one Family Counsellor and one Child Counsellor post at each of the three Camp Court locations, in addition to the larger panel needed at Patiala headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Counsellor posts are advertised at Family Court Patiala?
10 posts in total, across Patiala headquarters and Camp Courts at Nabha, Samana and Rajpura.
2. What is the last date to apply?
14 September 2026, by 4:00 PM.
3. Is this a salaried government job?
No, this is an honorarium-based empanelment, not a regular salaried post.
4. What is the minimum age to apply?
35 years, as on the last date of application.
5. What qualification is required?
A Graduate Degree, preferably in Social Science/Sociology, Psychology, Clinical Psychiatry, or Law.
6. How much experience is needed?
At least 2 years in Social Work/Welfare or related field work, research or teaching.
7. Is there an application fee?
No fee is mentioned in this notice.
8. How long is the term of appointment?
3 years, extendable by the Hon’ble High Court.
9. When is the interaction/interview held?
22 September 2026, 11:00 AM, at the Office of the Superintendent, District Courts, Patiala.
10. Will TA/DA be paid for the interaction?
No, no TA/DA is given to candidates for attending.
11. Can a Counsellor be removed from the panel?
Yes, the Hon’ble High Court can remove a Counsellor’s name from the panel without prior notice, at any time before their term expires.
12. What is the difference between a Family Counsellor and a Child Counsellor?
A Family Counsellor generally handles disputes between spouses or family members, while a Child Counsellor focuses on issues affecting children in these disputes.
13. Can a lawyer apply for this post?
Yes, Law is listed as one of the acceptable subjects for the Graduate Degree requirement, alongside Social Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Clinical Psychiatry.
14. Where should the application be submitted?
To the office of the District & Sessions Judge, Patiala.
15. Who signs this notice?
Sandeep Kumar Singla, Principal Judge, Family Court, Patiala.
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