From the Editor's Desk

On Monday (January 19), the Kerala High Court instructed the Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) to return the additional amount it had collected from seven lawyers at the time of their enrolment.

The petitioners told the court that they were made to pay ₹5,000 more than the fee permitted under law. They said the enrolment charge is capped at ₹750 and argued that the extra demand was unlawful, especially in view of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India.

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In its response, the BCK indicated it was willing to refund the excess amount if the petitioners approached the Council. During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel, Advocate Shinto Mathew Abraham, informed the court that they had already sought a refund from the BCK.

Recording this submission, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed the BCK to repay ₹5,000 to each petitioner within two weeks from the date the judgment is received.

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“Needless to mention, in the light of the declaration of the law by the Supreme Court in Gaurav Kumar's case (supra), the 1st respondent [Bar Council of Kerala] cannot collect anything more towards enrolment fee other than the statutorily fixed fee and stamp duty amounting to Rs. 750,” the Court added.

With these directions, the writ petition was disposed of.

Case Title: Adv. Shani A.R. and Ors. v. Bar Council of Kerala and Anr.

Case Number: WP(C) 42845/2025

Bench: Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas