Lawyers of the Kerala High Court are set to go on a one-day strike on Wednesday, April 9, to protest against a significant increase in court fees sanctioned by the recent Kerala Finance Bill of 2025. This decision was implemented on April 1, prompting severe backlash from the legal community.
The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) has declared a ‘pen down’ protest, choosing to abstain from all court activities on the said date. The association has articulated that this drastic increase in fees — escalating between 400% and 9,900% — not only imposes an unreasonable burden on litigants but also infringes upon their fundamental rights, particularly the right to access justice as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution.
In a poignant letter to Chief Justice Nitin M Jamdar, KHCAA stated, “We are compelled to seek your Lordship’s intervention against the unilateral and arbitrary fee enhancement by the State, which we believe directly undermines the constitutional guarantee of the Right to Life.”
While the Supreme Court has historically criticized lawyers’ strikes as detrimental to the judicial process, it recognizes exceptions in instances where democratic values are perceived to be at risk. “The ongoing situation qualifies as such an exception,” KHCAA emphasized, arguing that the fee hike impacts millions of citizens, many of whom are unaware of its implications on their legal rights.
The Association has suggested that the judiciary utilize April 9 as an opportunity to finalize and deliver pending judgments, many of which have been long awaited. “This could be a day well-spent in reducing the backlog of cases, where judges can focus on penning down their reserved judgments,” the letter proposed.
Furthermore, KHCAA has initiated legal action against the fee increase by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). During today’s hearing, the court directed the State government to present comprehensive data and the rationale behind the decision to hike the fees, demonstrating the judiciary’s proactive stance in addressing this contentious issue.
