Kerala HC Lawyers' Body to Hold Token Protest Against Court Fees Hike on Wednesday

Kochi(The Uttam Hindu):  The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) has announced plans to stage a token protest on Wednesday in opposition to the recent hike in court fees in the state. The lawyers' body has also decided to file a writ petition challenging the fee increases. A meeting of the association granted approval for the strike, contingent on the agreement of all bar associations across Kerala. In 2024, the Kerala government established a five-member committee, led by retired High Court Judge Justice V.K. Mohanan, to assess and recommend changes to the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1959. Based on the committee’s interim report, the government revised court fees for family court cases and those falling under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Legal challenges to these revisions are currently pending before the High Court.

During his budget speech on February 7, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal highlighted the proposed court fees hikes, which were subsequently passed in the state assembly on March 25. The new rates took effect on April 1. The fee increases range from 500% to over 6,500%. However, the government did not impose hikes on fees for habeas corpus or public interest litigation petitions filed in the High Court. Both the Bar Council of Kerala and the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association have strongly opposed the hike, citing the state government's poor financial position as the primary cause. This fee increase is part of a broader wave of hikes across government services, including electricity and water charges, which came into effect at the start of the new fiscal year. It remains to be seen if further relief will be provided.