Supreme Court Rules Against Exorbitant Bar Council Fees

The Supreme Court has ruled that state bar councils cannot charge exorbitant fees for enrolling law graduates as lawyers, condemning it as systemic discrimination against marginalized and economically weaker sections. The court mandated that fees should not exceed Rs 750 for general and Rs 125 for SC-ST categories, ensuring parity and equality in the legal profession.

The Supreme Court of India, on Tuesday, delivered a landmark judgment stating that state bar councils cannot impose exorbitant fees for the enrollment of law graduates seeking to join the legal profession. This ruling addresses the widespread issue of systemic discrimination that economically weaker and marginalized sections face.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, declared that bar councils are bound by the fiscal policies stipulated in the Advocates Act, 1961. Consequently, the enrollments fees are to be capped at Rs 750 for general category applicants and Rs 125 for those from SC-ST backgrounds.

The judgment, penned by Chief Justice Chandrachud, emphasized that excessive fees violate the Constitutional rights to equality and professional practice, outlined in Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). The ruling aims to dismantle economic barriers and ensure equal participation in the legal profession.

(With inputs from agencies.)