A single judge of Karnataka High Court held as follows,
From Paras 2-3,
2. Heard the learned counsel Sri.Ravichandragouda R.Patil, party-in-person, learned counsel Smt.Archana Magdum for respondent No.1 and the learned counsel Sri.Rajashekhar Burji appearing for respondent No.2.
3. The petitioner, appearing in-person, is said to have enrolled as an advocate in the month of October 2024. It is the case of the petitioner that beyond the prescribed statutory fee of ₹750/-, the respondent No.1-Karnataka State Bar Council has been collecting optional fees of ₹6800/-. It transpires that ₹750/- is the only fee that is legally sanctioned for collection in terms of the Advocates Act, 1961. The issue regarding whether the respondents could charge fees beyond what is stipulated under the Statute need not detain this Court for long or delve deep into the matter.
From Paras 5-7,
5. The Apex Court in the afore-quoted judgment holds that the charging of enrollment fee, in excess of statutory stipulation, is impermissible in law.
6. The learned counsel Smt.Archana Magadum, appearing for respondent No.1-Karnataka State Bar Council, submits that the fee was collected prior to the order passed by the Apex Court in GAURAV KUMAR (supra) and KLJA KIRAN BABU (supra). Therefore, if the account details of the petitioner is furnished, the fee that is in excess would be refunded, and if a representation to that effect be submitted to the Bar Council, action would be taken in accordance with law as submitted hereinabove.
7. In the light of the issue standing completely answered by the Apex Court in the judgments rendered in the case GAURAV KUMAR (supra) and KLJA KIRAN BABU (supra), the petitioner in-person shall now submit a representation to the Bar Council within two weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of the order.
From Para 9,
9. It is needless to observe that respondent No.1 – Karnataka State Bar Council cannot and will not collect any fee contrary to law.
Citations: [2025:KHC-D:14930]
Other Sources:
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/187650583/
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