Kerala High Court Reserves Verdict On Advocates Association's PIL Against Court Fee Hike

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 16) reserved its orders in the plea moved by the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) challenging the increase in Court Fees.

A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji heard detailed arguments by Advocate Yeshwant Shenoy appearing for the KHCAA and that of Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kururp for the State. 

The KHCAA had moved a Public Interest Litigation against the increase in Court Fees and imposition of Ad-Valorem fees without an upper limit brought about through an amendment in the Kerala Court Fees and Suit Valuation Act

The increase in Court fee was proposed in the 2025-26 Budget Speech. Subsequently, these amendments were brought into effect through the Kerala Finance Act, 2025.

The changes have been alleged to be arbitrary by the bar body, claiming that the increase in Court Fees is in the range of 400% to 9900%, which thereby denies access to justice for the common public. The petition has also opposed the imposition of Ad-valorem fees without an upper limit.

Earlier, the Court had directed the State Government to place before it the materials it relied upon to raise the court fee.

The petition is moved by Advocates Shinto Mathew Abraham, Arun Thomas, Karthika Maria, Veena Raveendran, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, Mathew Nevin Thomas, Kurian Antony Mathew, Leah Rachel Ninan, Karthik Rajagopal, Manasa Benny George, Aparnna S., Adeen Nazar, Arun Joseph Mathew, Noel Ninan Ninan.

Case title: Kerala High Court Advocates Association (KHCAA) v. State of Kerala & Others

Case No: WP(PIL) 14/ 2025