According to the updated guidelines, the enrollment fees have been set at Rs 750 for the general category and Rs 125 for those belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories. This announcement brings relief to law graduates who have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to join the legal profession in the national capital.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court’s recent judgment, the Bar Council of Delhi today (7th Aug) has immediately resumed the enrollment process for aspiring lawyers. The top court’s ruling on July 30th paved the way for the council to reinstate its enrollment proceedings, which had been temporarily stayed.
According to the updated guidelines, the enrollment fees have been set at Rs 750 for the general category and Rs 125 for those belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories. This announcement brings relief to law graduates who have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to join the legal profession in the national capital.
The Supreme Court’s judgment addressed the longstanding issue of enrollment delays, which had been a source of concern for many aspiring lawyers. By directing the Bar Council of Delhi to expedite the process, the court has ensured that qualified individuals can seamlessly transition into legal practice.
The court has stated that as per Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, the State Bar Councils or Bar Council of India cannot charge anything in excess of Rs 600.
In its judgment, the court has made the following key points:
- No fee beyond the enrolment fee prescribed under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act can be charged.
- No other fee can be charged apart from the enrolment fee and stamp duty charges.
- Any charge other than what is stipulated under the Act is in violation of the right to carry on a profession under Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution.
- The judgment has a prospective effect, which means that the BCI and State Bar Councils do not need to refund the excess fees collected until now.
However, the court has clarified that the bar councils can charge for services like legal aid, but not at the time of enrolment of lawyers.
“This is a welcome move that will help address the backlog and provide a clear path for law graduates to begin their careers,” said Anita Sharma, a legal expert.
“The reduced fees for SC/ST candidates are also a positive step towards making the legal profession more accessible and inclusive.”
The court’s decision comes in response to petitions challenging the high enrolment fees set by various State Bar Councils, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The BCI had filed a transfer petition to consolidate the matters pending before various High Courts, which the Supreme Court allowed.
The Bar Council of Delhi has stated that it will work diligently to process all pending applications and ensure a smooth enrollment experience for all applicants. Candidates are advised to closely monitor the council’s official website and media channels for the latest updates and instructions regarding the enrollment process.
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