Supreme Court of India issues rulings on court fees and professional course costs

The Supreme Court of India has indicated it may issue directions to all states to amend their laws regarding court fees. This follows a challenge by the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) against steep increases and ad valorem fees that lack an upper ceiling. Chief Justice Surya Kant noted an inclination to direct states to suitably amend their laws, while Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that court fees for commercial disputes should be commensurate with the value of the suit to reflect the judicial time utilized.

In a separate matter, the Supreme Court ruled that fees for entire professional courses must be notified before admissions begin. A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe emphasized that students should understand their total financial liability at the threshold of entering a program. The Court stated that fee fixation committees must act as continuing institutions that anticipate costs and complete fee determination before admissions commence, ensuring certainty through efficient regulation.