Public Defender Aspirants Competition 2026–2027 (80 posts)

About the role

The Oficina Nacional de Defensa Pública (ONDP), the Dominican Republic's national public defence office, has opened its 2026–2027 Competition for Aspiring Public Defenders (Concurso de Aspirantes a Defensores Públicos) to bring 80 new law professionals into the public defence career and strengthen free legal assistance for people in vulnerable conditions, in line with Article 176 of the Dominican Constitution. Public defenders protect fundamental rights and due process for clients who cannot afford private representation, and the competition is run under the ONDP's published bases and requirements, which can be consulted and downloaded at www.defensapublica.gob.do. Application files are received in person at the ONDP headquarters, calle Osvaldo Báez (rear entrance), Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, from 19 October to 20 November 2026, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Applicants pay a non-refundable fee of RD$1,000 in cash when depositing their documents, and in their application letter they must state the judicial department or district they are applying for and commit to remaining in that jurisdiction.

Requirements

Law degree (licenciado or doctor en Derecho) issued by the corresponding university and legalised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) Professional exequátur (licence to practise), evidenced by a copy of the granting decree Current certificate of no criminal record issued by the Procuraduría General de la República, plus identity and electoral card Curriculum vitae in the format set by the competition bases, two 2x2 photographs, certification of completed university studies, and the act of swearing-in as a lawyer before the Supreme Court of Justice (this last document may be filed up to the psychometric test date) Non-refundable application fee of RD$1,000 in cash, payable when the file is deposited

Skills