The Union Ministry of Law & Justice today(February 5) issued a memorandum announcing the revised fee structure applicable to Union Government counsel across the Courts and the Tribunals, with effect from February 1st.
As per the memorandum, the counsels should be paid as per the old rates in respect of their appearances and work done by them prior to February 1st.
The revised fee structure applicable to Groups A, B, and C panel Counsels in the Supreme Court is as follows:
1. Supreme Court Panel Counsels (Groups A, B, & C)
- Final hearing(appeal/writ):
- Group A: Rs. 21,600/case
- Group B&C: Rs.14,000/case
- Admission cases(SLPs/Transfer Petition/Writ Petitions/Miscellanous):
- Group A: Rs. 14,000/case
- Group B&C: Rs.7,200/case
- Settling of pleadings: Rs.8,400/case for Group A
- Appearance in Miscellaneous applications:
- Group A: Rs. 7,200/case
- Group B&C: Rs. 4,800/case
- Drafting SLP/affidavits/written submissions/rejoinders/ or appearance in miscellaneous application(including mentioning of case/caveat): Rs. 4,800/case for Group B&C
- Daily fee outside headquarters:
- Group A: Rs. 21,600
- Group B&C: Rs. 14,000
- Conference: Rs.1,440 for Group A
- Fee in identical/connected cases: Only one drafting fee will be payable
2. High Courts and Tribunals(except Principal Benches of Bombay & Calcutta)
- Monthly retainership
- Deputy Solicitor General of India/Senior Central Government Standing CounselAdditional Central Government Standing Counsel/Senior Panel Counsel: Rs.14,400/month
- Effective hearing per day:
- Dy.SG, Sr. CGSC, CGSC, and SPC: Rs. 14,400 for effective hearing, Rs. 2,400 for non-effective hearing(maximum five in a case)
- CGC, Addl. CGSC, & GP: Rs. 3,600 for effective hearing, Rs. 2,400 for non-effective hearing(maximum 5 per case)
- Application for Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court in writ petitions/settling pleadings/miscellaneous application: Rs. 4800 for Dy.SG, Sr. CGSC, CGSC, and SPC(per case)
- Drafting pleadings/counter/returns/SLP except where fee on ad valorem basis prescribed: Rs. 2,160 for CGC, Addl. CGSC, & GP(per pleading)
- Drafting of civil miscellaneous application underthe Indian Succession Act, contempt of Court and proceedings of original nature: Rs. 1,800(per petition)
- Conference: Rs. 1,440 and Rs. 720
- Clerkage: capped at 10% of total fees(Rs. 2,880 max)
- Fee in identical/connected cases:
- If matter is contested: Rs. 1500/600
- If matter is disposed of without contest: Rs.750/300
3. Principal Benches of High Courts and CAT & Other Tribunal Benches in Bombay & Calcutta
- Suits/writ/appeal/SLP/Criminal Revision/Bail Application(per effective hearing)
- Special Counsel: Rs. 14,400/Rs.1,440 per consultation
- Senior Counsel, Group I: Rs. 9,600/Rs. 1200 per consultation
- Senior Counsel, Group II: Rs. 6,000/Rs. 960 per consultation
- Junior Advocate on Record: Rs. 2,800/per consultation
- Interim motion/notices/appeals/arbitration/company matter/land acquisition
- Special Counsel: Rs. 4800/Rs.1,440 per consultation
- Senior Counsel, Group I: Rs. 4800/Rs. 1200 per consultation
- Senior Counsel, Group II: Rs. 3,600/Rs. 960 per consultation
- Junior Advocate on Record: Rs. 2,160/per consultation
4. District & Subordinate Courts
- Monthly retainership to Standing Government Counsel: Rs. 9,600
- Effective hearing f: Rs. 2,880
- Non-effective hearing: Rs. 960
- Drafiting written statement.appeal: Rs.2,400
- Daily fee outside headquarters: Rs.3,600
- Clerkage: 10% of total fee(max Rs.8,400)
5. Arbitration Panels
- Effective hearing:
- Senior Arbitration Counsel: Rs. 3,600
- Junior Arbitration Counsel: Rs. 2,400
- Drafting pleadings: Rs.2,400(senior)/1,200(junior)
- Conference fee: Rs.720(senior)/Rs.480(junior)