Fees Schedule (GOI)

• Consultation & Advice: ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 per session.

• Legal Notice Drafting: ₹4,000 to ₹12,000+.

• District Court Appearances: ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per hearing.

• High Court Appearances: ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000+ per hearing.

• Senior Counsel / Designated Advocates: ₹50,000 to ₹10,00,000+ per appearance or day (plus reading/conference fees).

• Hourly Rates (Associates to Partners): ₹2,000 to ₹40,000+ per hour depending on firm tier (metro full-service vs. boutique). 

• District Legal Services Authority (DSLSA / State LSA): Panel advocates receive fixed non-effective (₹1,000) and effective hearing fees (₹2,000), capped at ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per trial depending on the gravity of the criminal or civil matter. 

• West Bengal Panel Lawyers (Subordinate Courts): Daily hearing fees for state-empaneled advocates start around ₹750/day, with drafting fees ranging from ₹400 to ₹1,500 depending on seniority category. 

DSLSA 2025 Fee Schedule

📄 DSLSA 2025 Fee Schedule:  Empanelled Legal Services Advocates (LSA) & Counsellors

PART I-A: District Courts & Quasi-Judicial Bodies (Legal Aid Wing)

⚖️ Sessions Courts
 **1. Criminal Cases (Death, Life Imprisonment, or >10 yrs)**
    *   Non-Effective Hearing: Rs. 1,000/-
    *   Effective Hearing: Rs. 2,000/-
    *   Max Limit (Per Case): **Rs. 51,000/-**

**2. Other Criminal Session Trial Cases
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 800/- | Effective: Rs. 1,600/- | Max: **Rs. 40,000/-**
*   **3. Bail / Remand Work**
    *   a) Bail (Anticipatory/Regular, except during trial): **Rs. 1,800/- per application** *(Includes drafting, filing, arguments & disposal)*
    *   b) Remand Work: **Rs. 10,000/- per month** *(Includes disposal of Summary Trial e.g., Kalandra/Traffic Challan)*

 4. Appeals
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 800/- | Effective: Rs. 3,000/- | Max: **Rs. 18,000/-**
    *   Note: Minimum fee is Rs. 6,000/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 6,000/-, pay as per schedule.

5. Revisions
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 800/- | Effective: Rs. 2,500/- | Max: **Rs. 12,500/-**
    *   *Note: Minimum fee is Rs. 5,000/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 5,000/-, pay as per schedule.*

6. Other Additional Legal Services (assigned by Secretary, no specific fee)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 720/- | Effective: Rs. 1,080/- | Max: **Rs. 14,400/-**

Magisterial Courts
*   **7. Trial before CJM / ACJM / JMFC** (State/Complaint Cases, Warrant/Summons Trial)
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,200/- | Max: **Rs. 30,000/-**
*   **8. Execution (if any)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,000/- | Max: **Rs. 11,000/-**

9. Bail / Remand Work**
    *   a) Bail: **Rs. 1,350/- per application** *(Includes drafting, filing, arguments & disposal)*
    *   b) Remand Work: **Rs. 12,000/- per month**
*   **10. Other Additional Legal Services (no specific fee)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 540/- | Effective: Rs. 900/- | Max: **Rs. 9,900/-**

Courts of District Judges
*   **11. Trial before DJ / ADJ / Family / Labour / Industrial Tribunal / MCD / DDA Tribunal**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 700/- | Effective: Rs. 1,500/- | Max: **Rs. 36,000/-**
    *   *Note: In 'Divorce by mutual consent', minimum fee is Rs. 3,000/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 3,000/-, pay as per schedule.*

12. MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 700/- | Effective: Rs. 1,500/- | Max: **Rs. 22,500/-**
*   **13. Execution (for S.No. 11 & 12)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,200/- | Max: **Rs. 14,400/-**
*   **14. Appeals**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 700/- | Effective: Rs. 1,500/- | Max: **Rs. 22,500/-**
    *   *Note: Minimum fee is Rs. 3,000/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 3,000/-, pay as per schedule.*
*   **15. Matters before Financial Commissioner Courts**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 700/- | Effective: Rs. 1,250/- | Max: **Rs. 18,000/-**
    *   *Note: Minimum fee is Rs. 2,500/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 2,500/-, pay as per schedule.*
*   **16. Other Additional Legal Services (main case, application, execution, etc.)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 720/- | Effective: Rs. 1,080/- | Max: **Rs. 14,400/-**

Courts of Civil Judges
*   **17. Trial before SCJ / Addl. SCJ / ACJ / Rent Controller / ARC / Civil Judge / Distt. Consumer Forum / ADM & SDM / Cantonment Board**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,200/- | Max: **Rs. 30,000/-**
*   **18. Execution (for S.No. 17)**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,000/- | Max: **Rs. 11,000/-**
*   **19. Misc. Application** (Order 9 Rule 13 CPC, Review, etc., except during trial) **or other assigned work**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 600/- | Effective: Rs. 1,000/- | Max: **Rs. 11,000/-**

Quasi-Judicial Bodies
*   **20. NGT / CAT / NCDRC / AFT / NCLT / ITAT / DRT / DRAT / SCDRC / DST / Trade Mark Authority / Registrar Co-op Society**
    *   Non-Effective: Rs. 900/- | Effective: Rs. 2,000/- | Max: **Rs. 30,000/-**
    *   *Note: Minimum fee is Rs. 5,000/- + misc charges. If hearings push bill over Rs. 5,000/-, pay as per schedule.*
*   **21. Other Additional Misc. Court Work (assigned by DSLSA/DLSA, no specific fee)**
    *   *(Refer to the general DSLSA rules/circulars for applicable rates)*

Local Commissioner
22. Appointments for Inspection, Partition, or Receiverships**
    *   (a) Order of Courts of DHJS: **Rs. 12,000/-**
    *   (b) Order of Courts of DJS: **Rs. 9,000/-**
23. Recording of Evidence by Local Commissioners**
    *   (a) Order of Courts of DHJS: **Rs. 9,000/-** (plus Rs. 1,200/- per additional witness if >6 witnesses, max cap Rs. 12,000/-)
    *   (b) Order of Courts of DJS: **Rs. 6,000/-** (plus Rs. 600/- per additional witness if >6 witnesses, max cap Rs. 9,000/-)

IMPORTANT NOTES & RULES (Part I-A)

1. What is an "Effective Hearing"?
*   **Criminal Case:** A hearing where charges/notice are framed against the accused, witness testimonies are recorded, cross-examinations occur, accused's statement is recorded (u/s 281/313 CrPC), defence witnesses are examined, or arguments on important applications/final arguments take place.
*   **Civil Case:** The date on which plaint/petition/written statement is filed, issues are framed, witnesses are examined/cross-examined, or important applications/final arguments are argued.
*   **General:** A hearing where the court passes an order deciding substantial legal rights of the parties (which may be challenged in Appeal/Revision).
*   **NOT an Effective Hearing:** If the case is merely adjourned, only interlocutory directions are given, or only judgement is delivered. This is a "Non-Effective Hearing."
*   *Lenient view shall be taken in favor of Effective Hearings. The DLSA Secretary's decision is final.*

2. Connected / Clubbed Cases**
If two or more cases are pending before the same Court/Body and involve identical questions of law/fact or the same parties/property, **only one suit is treated as the main case for full fee**. For connected cases, the LSA gets **1/4th of the prescribed fee**.

**3. Non-Effective Hearings Mandate**
The fee schedule incentivizes effective hearings, but LSAs are **duty-bound to appear** on all non-effective hearings.

**4. Applicability**
This schedule applies to Pre-Trial and Trial stages, including POCSO cases, rape survivors, and cases assigned by Court Orders.

**5. Payment Slabs for State Cases (Trial on Police Report)**
*   **20%** on framing of charge/notice. *(If discharged while defending, 30% of total fee is paid).*
*   **70%** on conclusion of Prosecution Evidence and recording of Accused's statement u/s 313/281 CrPC + Defence Evidence.
*   **Remaining 30%** on final disposal.

**6. Payment Slabs for Criminal Complaint Cases**
*   **20%** up to passing of summoning order or dismissal u/s 203 CrPC.
*   **30%** in case of discharge of accused while defending in a Warrant Trial.

**7. Payment Slabs for Civil Cases (Contested)**
*   **20%** on framing of issues. *(In summary trials: 30% on dismissal of leave to defend; 20% on acceptance of leave to defend upon framing of issues).*
*   **70%** on conclusion of Plaintiff's/Defendant's Evidence.
*   **Remaining 30%** on final disposal.

**8. Payment Slabs for Rent/Eviction Matters**
*   **20%** on disposal of leave to defend application (u/s 14(1)(e), 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D). *(In other cases: 20% on completion of pleadings).*
*   **70%** on conclusion of Plaintiff's/Defendant's Evidence.
*   **Remaining 30%** on final disposal.

**9. Payment Slabs for Civil Cases (Uncontested/Ex-parte)**
*   **District Judges Court:** Max limit Rs. 24,000/-. (Non-Effective: Rs. 600/-, Effective: Rs. 1,500/-).
*   **Civil Judges Court:** Max limit Rs. 20,000/-. (Non-Effective: Rs. 500/-, Effective: Rs. 1,000/-).
*   *Payment ratio: 2:5:3 as per Para 7 above.*

**10. Billing Limits for Appeals / Revisions**
*   Billing for "non-effective hearings" is capped at **7 occasions** in the lifetime of the matter.
*   **40%** paid during pendency; **60%** paid after final disposal.

**11. Mediation / Plea Bargaining**
*   If referred and certified, fees are paid for those sittings (if effective hearings at the forum exceed 2).
*   The Rs. 3,600/- ADR incentive (see Part III, Rule 3) **does not apply** here.

**12. Legal Opinion / No Case Made Out**
*   Consolidated fee of **Rs. 2,000/-**. Any advance paid is adjusted against this.

**13. Beneficiary Does Not Turn Up**
*   If pleadings are drafted but case is not filed, fee is **Rs. 2,000/-** + misc charges upon production of draft.

14. Bail Applications (Pre-Chargesheet)
*   Anticipatory bail: Paid only **once**, even for multiple accused.
*   Regular bail (pre-chargesheet): Restricted to **2 applications** per accused/case.
*   Post-chargesheet: **No separate payment** for filing, arguing, or disposal of bail.
*   *Prior approval needed for extra bail applications (except emergencies like illness/bereavement).*

15. Inspection of Court Record
*   **Rs. 400/- per inspection** (Max 3 times in the lifetime of the matter).

16. Jail Visits
*   Requires prior approval (only if E-Mulakat is not feasible).
*   Fee: **Rs. 3,000/-** (includes conveyance).

👶 PART I-B: Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB), Child Welfare Committees (CWC) & Child Rights Cell (CRC)

 **1. LSA attending JJB/CWC cases:** **Rs. 2,700/- per day**
 **2. LSA supervising work (Ombudsman/Counsellors):** **Rs. 3,100/- per day**
 **3. Inspection of Homes by LSA:**
    *   Within 5 km of JJB: **Rs. 1,200/-**
    *   Beyond 5 km of JJB: **Rs. 1,700/-**
    *   *Note: Paid in addition to daily fees, provided LSA puts in 2+ hours beyond working hours. Max 4 visits/month to OHB/OHG; 1 visit/month to Children Home.*
*   **4. LSA attending Trials of Rescued Children:** As per Part I-A schedule.

OTHER ACTIVITIES & CLINICS (Part I-B Continued)

*   **1. Jails / Legal Services Clinics:** 5-20 min late reporting relaxation is granted.
*   **2. University/College Clinics & Camps:** Rs. 2,100/- for first 2 hours; +Rs. 700/hr thereafter (Max **Rs. 3,500/visit**).
*   **3. Front Office Duty:** **Rs. 2,700/- per sitting** (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
*   **4. Helpline 1516 (beyond office hours/holidays):** **Rs. 10,000/- per month**.
*   **5. Drafting:** 1/3rd of total fee (subject to max **Rs. 5,000/-**). *Minimum for substantive pleadings (Suit, Divorce, Appeal, Written Statement, etc.) is Rs. 2,000/-.*
*   **6. Typing Charges:** Rs. 35/- per page (includes scanning, OCR, bookmarking).
*   **7. Photocopy:** Rs. 2/- per page.
*   **8. Translation:** Rs. 70/- per page (actual expenses at DSLSA discretion for exceptional cases).
*   **9. Attestation:** Rs. 30/- per document.

RESOURCE PERSONS & EXPERTS (Part II)

1. Legal Literacy/Awareness Programmes (Honorarium per session):**
*   **Rs. 9,000/-:** Former SC Judge, Former HC Judge, Senior Advocates, Professors.
*   **Rs. 7,500/-:** DHJS Judicial Officers, Addl. Secretaries (Govt of India/States/UTs), Associate Professors.
*   **Rs. 6,000/-:** DJS Judicial Officers, Joint Secretaries.
*   **Rs. 5,000/-:** Assistant Professors.
*   **Rs. 4,500/- per day:** Translators, Interpreters, Sign Language Experts, or other experts (Sec 12, LSA Act 1987).
*   **LSA/Counsellor as Resource Person:** **Rs. 2,100/- per lecture**. *(Conveyance of Rs. 600/- if beyond 5km from DLSA office).*
*   **Para Legal Volunteers:** **Rs. 1,500/- per lecture** as resource person.
*   **PLV Engagement (Campaigns/Surveys):** Rs. 600/- to Rs. 1,800/- per person (Secretary's discretion).

PART III: Lok Adalats (PLA, NLA, DCLA)

Permanent Lok Adalat (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
**Rs. 18,000/-:** Retd. Hon'ble High Court Judges.
**Rs. 15,000/-:** DHJS Officers (Serving/Retired).
**Rs. 3,000/-:** Counsellors at PLAR (12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM).

National Lok Adalat (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
**Rs. 15,000/-:** Member Secretary DSLSA, Secretaries DSLSA/DHLSC (DHJS Officers), District Judges (DHJS).
*   **Rs. 10,000/-:** Secretaries DSLSA/DLSAs (DJS Officers), JMs First Class & Civil Judges (DJS).
*   **Rs. 7,500/-:** Doctors / Associate Members.
*   **Rs. 5,500/-:** Additional Public Prosecutor.
*   **Rs. 3,500/-:** Administrative Officer, Sr. Accounts Officer, Registrar, Superintendent, Sr. PA, Sr. Reader, etc.
*   **Rs. 3,000/-:** Stenographer, Assistant, PA, Judicial Assistant, Hindi Translator, Section Officer.
*   **Rs. 2,000/-:** LDC, Office Assistant, Driver.
*   **Rs. 1,500/-:** MTS, Peon, Orderly to Judges.

### Pre-Sitting of Lok Adalat (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
*   **Rs. 2,000/-:** Officers of DHJS & DJS.
*   **Rs. 1,000/-:** LSA / Counsellor duty as Associate Members.
*   **Rs. 1,000/-:** PA / Stenographer / Reader / Ahlmad.
*   **Rs. 500/-:** Peon / Orderly.
*   *Note 1: Minimum 8 cases for DHJS pre-sitting; minimum 12 cases for DJS pre-sitting.*
*   *Note 2: Max 5 pre-sittings paid per scheduled Lok Adalat.*
*   *Note 3: Judicial Officer may depute max 3 staff members for assistance.*

📑 GENERAL RULES, BILLING & MISCELLANEOUS

1. Preparation of Bills
*   Submit based on the number of hearings. If disposed early, pay commensurate with attended hearings. If it exceeds the max limit, only the max fixed fee is paid.
*   **Warning:** False bills = immediate depanelment.

**2. Limitation Period for Bills**
*   **Legal Aid Counsel:** Submit within **1 year** of final disposal/discharge. (Extendable by 1 year by Secretary for recorded reasons).
*   **Other activities:** Submit within **6 months** of completion. (Extendable by 6 months).
*   *This applies to previous schedules as well.*

**3. Promoting ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution)**
*   Settled in Lok Adalat, Mediation, Conciliation, or Plea Bargaining: **+Rs. 3,600/-** over standard fee.
*   Settled in Court itself: **+Rs. 1,800/-** over standard fee.

**4. Case Preparation Advance**
*   **Rs. 2,000/-** credited at assignment (civil/criminal/quasi-judicial) for expenses. Adjusted later.

**5. Cost Awarded by Court**
*   Must be deposited with DLSA within 2 months. Failure = Legal Aid withdrawn or Advocate depaneled.

**6. Court Fee**
*   Realized if Court directs on disposal of petition for an indigent person.

**7. Clubbed Cases**
*   Appeals/Revisions from one common judgment = **One case** (if issues are the same).

**8. Misc. Work**
*   Misc. applications in a pending case (incl. transfer petitions): **Only drafting & typing charges** are paid. No separate fee.

**9. Supporting Documents for Payment**
*   Soft copy scan of work form (verified by Reader/Ahlmad) + weblink of Judgment/Order. Certified copies may also be produced.

**10. Final Decision on Bills**
*   Member Secretary's decision is final in case of doubt. Follow circular dated 19.12.2015.

**11. Applicability**
*   Effective **01.06.2025**. Settled bills will not be re-opened (unless notified).

**12. Court Fee (Authorization)**
*   DLSA Secretary can approve court fees up to **Rs. 15,000/-**. Above that requires Chairperson's approval.

**13. Publication Charges**
*   If Court orders publication: LSA files Process Fee within 7 days, gets order copy, self-attests by beneficiary, submits to DLSA. DLSA pays publisher via RTGS/Cheque.

**14. Absence of Remand Advocate**
*   Must be available on Sundays/Holidays if attached to Duty JM.
*   **Penalty:** Unauthorized absence = deduction of **1/15th of total monthly fees** per day.

💼 PRE-INSTITUTION AND MEDIATION (PIMS)

Honorarium for Advocate Mediators in Commercial Matters

Quantum of Claim | Fee (Settled Cases) 

Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 | **Rs. 7,500/-
Rs. 10,00,000 to Rs. 50,00,000 | **Rs. 15,000/-
Rs. 50,00,000 to Rs. 1,00,00,000 | **Rs. 20,000/-
Rs. 1,00,00,000 to Rs. 3,00,00,000 | **Rs. 25,000/-
Above Rs. 3,00,00,000 | **Rs. 37,500/-** 

**Unsettled cases up to Rs. 2 Crore: Rs. 2,500/-**
**Unsettled cases above Rs. 2 Crore: Rs. 5,000/-