Trivandrum Bar Association Moves Kerala HC To Join As Party In KHCAA's PIL Challenging Increased Court Fees

The Trivandrum Bar Association has moved the Kerala High Court seeking to implead itself as 4th additional respondent in KHCAA's plea against increased court fees.

As per the affidavit sworn by the Secretary of Trivandrum Bar Association, it is stated that the increased fee is disproportionate to the prevailing inflation rate and that this is an arbitrary enhancement, which constitutes an unnecessary burden on the litigants.

It was highlighted in the affidavit that the burden of the increased court fees is borne by the litigants and not the advocates. It was also stated that other quasi-judicial bodies like the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT), National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Consumer forums, lok adalats, and State Cooperative Tribunal levy courts fees of a much smaller amount, at a capped rate regardless of the claim value. Thus, it was stated that financially sound litigants are paying much lesser fees as compared to the ordinary litigants.

The bar association has prayed for impleading itself in the public interest litigation in order to assist the Court.

Case title: KERALA HIGH COURT ADVOCATES ASSOCIATION (KHCAA) v/s STATE OF KERALA & OTHER

Case No: IA No. 4/2025 in WP(PIL) 14/ 2025