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 charge any amount beyond the statutory fee prescribed under Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961.

Background of the Case

The petitioner, Advocate Ravichandragouda R. Patil, was enrolled in October 2024. He paid ₹750 as the statutory enrolment fee but was also compelled to pay an additional optional fee of ₹6,800 collected by the State Bar Council.

He contended that the collection of any such additional amount was contrary to the provisions of the Advocates Act and relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India and Others (2024 INSC 558), which categorically held that no State Bar Council is authorised to collect enrolment fees in excess of the statutory limit.

Submissions Before the Court

The counsel for the State Bar Council submitted that the fee in question had been collected before the Supreme Court’s pronouncement in Gaurav Kumar and K. L. J. A. Kiran Babu cases. It was further assured that, upon submission of the petitioner’s bank details and representation, the excess amount would be refunded.

Court’s Directions

Taking note of the submission, the High Court directed as follows:

1. The petitioner shall submit a representation to the Karnataka State Bar Council within two weeks from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order.
2. Upon such representation, the Bar Council shall refund the excess enrolment fee and pass necessary orders within three weeks thereafter, strictly in accordance with the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
3. The Court also made it “needless to observe that the State Bar Council cannot and will not collect any fee contrary to law.”

Legal Reasoning and Implication

By reaffirming the binding force of Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, the High Court has clarified that ₹750 remains the only legally prescribed fee for enrolment as an advocate. Any collection beyond this amount, whether termed as “optional” or otherwise, is ultra vires the Act.

What Advocates Should Note

• Advocates can claim a refund of any excess enrolment fee collected in contravention of the Advocates Act.
• State Bar Councils must ensure strict adherence to statutory provisions while determining enrolment charges.
• The ruling upholds the principle of legality in professional regulation and safeguards the rights of new entrants to the legal profession.

Case Details

• Case Title: Ravichandragouda R. Patil v. Karnataka State Bar Council & Another
• Case Number: Writ Petition No. 105477 of 2025
• Bench: Karnataka High Court
• Petitioner (Party-in-Person): Advocate Ravichandragouda R. Patil
• For R1: Advocate Archana Magdum
• For R2: Advocate Rajashekhar Burji

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