Kochi, April 5 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) is set to conduct a token protest on Wednesday and intends to file a writ petition contesting the recent surge in court fees across the state.

The lawyers' organization's meeting has authorized the strike on Wednesday, contingent upon the agreement of all bar associations within Kerala.

In 2024, the Kerala government established a five-member Committee led by retired Kerala High Court judge Justice V.K. Mohanan to evaluate and recommend adjustments to court fees, aiming to amend the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1959, as necessary.

Following the Committee's interim report, the government revised court fees for family court cases and those under the Negotiable Instruments Act in 2024. Currently, petitions disputing these changes are pending before the High Court.

During his budget address on February 7, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal highlighted the proposed increases in court fees. The Finance Bill, containing the revised rates, was approved by the state Assembly on March 25.

As a result, the new fee structures took effect on April 1.

The increased court fees range from 500 percent to over 6,500 percent.

One small concession was that the court fees for filing habeas corpus and public interest litigation petitions in the High Court remained unchanged.

Both the Bar Council of Kerala and the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association have voiced their strong opposition to the fee increases.

The driving force behind the hike is the dire financial condition of the state government, with increases affecting not only the judicial sector but also encompassing all government services.

Recent hikes in electricity and water charges have also been enacted from the start of the new fiscal year, leaving many to wonder if any relief will be forthcoming.