The Supreme Court of India has recently issued a significant ruling regarding the enrolment fees for advocates. The Court has set strict limits on the fees that State Bar Councils (SBCs) and the Bar Council of India (BCI) can charge for the enrolment of lawyers. According to the judgment, the fees must adhere to the amounts prescribed under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961. This means the enrolment fees cannot exceed Rs. 600 for general category applicants and Rs. 100 for SC/ST category applicants​ (Legal Wires)​​.

The Court emphasized that no additional charges, such as miscellaneous fees, stamp duty, or verification charges, can be levied beyond these statutory limits. This decision aims to prevent the imposition of excessive fees, which in some states had risen as high as Rs. 42,000​​.

This ruling will apply prospectively, meaning it affects only future enrolments. The SBCs and BCI are not required to refund any excess fees collected in the past​​. This decision is expected to make legal practice more accessible, particularly for aspiring advocates from marginalized communities​​.