The single judge’s order had come on a plea moved by ten law graduates of the 2019-22 batch from the Government Law College, Ernakulam challenging the fee of ₹15,900 that the BCK was charging
The petitioners argued that such fees amounted to an “insurmountable financial hurdle” for them and many other students.
The plea alleged that the BCK was acting beyond the scope of its rule-making power by framing rules to levy an amount higher than ₹750 prescribed by the Advocates Act.
In the appeal moved by BCK, it was contended that there is no statutory bar imposed on the State Bar Council from levying the requisite charges to satisfy the conditions of enrolment from the candidates.
When the matter was considered last, counsel for BCK informed the division bench that all the original petitioners will be allowed to enrol on paying ₹750 subject to the final decision of the matter by the High Court.
It was also submitted that pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court in this regard, the Bar Council of India is to convene a meeting for fixing a uniform fee for enrolment applicable to all Bar Councils in India. The BCK will also be attending the meeting and would take a decision after that, the bench was told.
The Court then passed an order extending the benefit of the interim order to all law graduates.
Source: Barandbench
