The Karnataka High Court has directed the Karnataka State Bar Council to refund the excess enrolment fee collected from an advocate, holding that the Council cannot demand any amount beyond the statutory limit prescribed under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961.
The Court observed that while the statutory enrolment fee is ₹750, the State Bar Council had been collecting an additional “optional” fee of ₹6,800, which is contrary to law.
The petitioner, Advocate Ravichandragouda R. Patil, who was enrolled in October 2024, challenged the collection of this excess amount. He relied on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India & Ors., (2024 INSC 558)*, where the Apex Court held that charging any enrolment fee beyond the statutory limit is impermissible.
During the proceedings, counsel for the State Bar Council submitted that the disputed amount was collected before the Supreme Court’s orders in Gaurav Kumar and KLJA Kiran Babu cases. It was further submitted that the petitioner could seek a refund by furnishing his account details through a representation to the Council, which would then process it as per law.
Recording the submission, the Bench directed:
“The petitioner shall submit a representation to the Bar Council within two weeks from receipt of this order. Upon such submission, the Karnataka State Bar Council shall act upon it and issue appropriate directions for refund in accordance with the law laid down by the Apex Court, within three weeks thereafter.”
The Court also clarified that:
“It is needless to observe that the Karnataka State Bar Council cannot and will not collect any fee contrary to law.”
Appearance:
• Ravichandragouda R. Patil — Party-in-person
• Advocate Archana Magdum — for Respondent No. 1 (Karnataka State Bar Council)
• Advocate Rajashekhar Burji — for Respondent No. 2
Case Title: Ravichandragouda R. Patil v. Karnataka State Bar Council & Anr.
Case No.: Writ Petition No. 105477 of 2025
