The Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, has issued a significant notification revising the fee structure for various categories of Central Government Counsel. The revision, detailed in Office Memorandum No. J-12011/6/2025-Judicial/E.158060, dated February 5, 2026, covers counsels appearing before the Supreme Court, High Courts, Tribunals, District Courts, and Arbitration Tribunals.
The revised rates have been made effective from February 1, 2026.
Supreme Court Fee Structure (Table ‘A’)
The notification outlines a substantial hike for counsels representing the Union of India in the Supreme Court. The fees are categorized for Group ‘A’ Counsel and Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ Counsel.
- Final Hearings: For all Regular Appeals and defended Writ Petitions (final hearing), Group ‘A’ Counsel will now be paid Rs 21,600 per case per day, while Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ Counsel will receive Rs 14,400.
- Admission Matters: For defended admission matters, including SLPs and Writ Petitions, the fee is set at Rs 14,400 for Group ‘A’ and Rs 7,200 for Group ‘B’ & ‘C’.
- Drafting: The fee for drafting SLPs, Counter Affidavits, or Rejoinders is fixed at Rs 14,400 for Group ‘A’ and Rs 7,200 for Group ‘B’ & ‘C’.
- Outstation Services: Daily fees for services outside Headquarters match the hearing fees: Rs 21,600 (Group ‘A’) and Rs 14,400 (Group ‘B’ & ‘C’).
High Courts and Tribunals (Table ‘B’)
For High Courts and Tribunals (excluding the Principal Benches of Bombay and Calcutta High Courts), the revised structure applies to Deputy Solicitors General (Dy. SG), Senior Central Government Standing Counsel (Sr. CGSC), and others.
- Retainership: A monthly retainership fee of Rs 14,400 is admissible to all Deputy Solicitors General of India, Sr. CGSC, and CGSC (Delhi High Court).
- Hearings: The fee for effective hearings in Writ Petitions, Appeals, and Suits is fixed at Rs 14,400 per case per day. For non-effective hearings, the fee is Rs 2,400 (limited to five such hearings).
- Drafting: Drafting of pleadings and counter-affidavits will command a fee of Rs 4,800 per pleading.
Special Rates for Bombay and Calcutta (Table ‘C’)
Recognizing the distinct nature of litigation in the Principal Benches of the Bombay and Calcutta High Courts, a separate fee table (Table ‘C’) has been notified.
- Suits and Appeals: Special Counsel will receive Rs 14,400 per effective hearing. Senior Counsel Group-I and Group-II will receive Rs 9,600 and Rs 6,000, respectively.
- Drafting: Special Counsel will be paid Rs 6,000 for drafting pleadings, while Senior Counsel Group-I will receive Rs 4,800.
District and Subordinate Courts (Table ‘D’)
For Standing Government Counsel in District and Subordinate Courts nationwide:
- Retainership: The monthly retainership fee is fixed at Rs 9,600 (except in Delhi).
- Hearings: The fee for an effective hearing is Rs 2,880 per case per day, and Rs 960 for a non-effective hearing.
- Drafting: Drafting a Written Statement or Grounds of Appeal will carry a fee of Rs 2,400 per pleading.
Arbitration Cases (Table ‘E’)
The OM also revises fees for arbitration matters:
- Senior Arbitration Counsel: Rs 3,600 per effective hearing.
- Junior Arbitration Counsel: Rs 2,400 per effective hearing.
- Drafting: Rs 2,400 (Senior) and Rs 1,200 (Junior) per pleading.
Allowances and Conditions
The notification specifies that when a counsel is required to perform a journey outside their headquarters for official duties, they shall be entitled to travel, boarding, and lodging expenses aligned with Level 12 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) for senior categories, and Level 11 for others.
Regarding “Connected Cases,” the OM clarifies that if substantially identical affidavits or petitions are drafted in connected cases, the full drafting fee is payable only in the main case. For connected cases, a nominal additional fee is prescribed (e.g., Rs 1,500 per connected case for High Court matters if contested).
The Ministry clarified that counsels will be paid at the old rates for appearances and work done prior to February 1, 2026. The new rates apply strictly to work done on or after this date.
The revision was issued with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide ID Note No. 9/8/2025-E.II(B) dated January 12, 2026.
