Nature of proceeding
The applicable fee can vary for plaints, appeals, applications, revisions, writ proceedings, probate matters and other filings.
Important: Court fees are not necessarily uniform across India. The amount payable can depend on the applicable State law or amendment, High Court rules, the nature and valuation of the proceeding, and the forum. Supreme Court filing fees are governed by the Supreme Court Rules as amended. Always verify the current rule or schedule applicable to the court where the matter is being filed.
Overview of the Court-fees Act, 1870
The Court-fees Act, 1870 is a fiscal statute dealing with fees payable on specified documents filed in courts and public offices. Its provisions cover, among other matters, fees in High Courts, fees in other courts and public offices, computation and valuation in certain suits, refund of court fees, probate and letters of administration, process fees, collection through stamps and related miscellaneous provisions.
The uploaded page identifies the enactment as Act No. 7 of 1870, dated 11 March 1870, and preserves a section-wise set of internal links to the Act. Those links are retained below in a cleaner chapter structure.
ActAct No. 7 of 1870
Enactment11 March 1870
Commencement1 April 1870
How court fee is determined
Valuation
In suits where an ad valorem fee applies, valuation of the relief and the applicable statutory schedule can affect the amount payable.
Forum and jurisdiction
Different provisions or rules may apply to subordinate courts, High Courts exercising original or extraordinary jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court.
State amendments
State-specific court-fee legislation and amendments may alter rates, schedules, exemptions and payment procedures.
Chapter I - Preliminary
Chapter II - Fees in High Courts and Courts of Small Causes at Presidency-towns
Chapter III - Fees in Other Courts and Public Offices
- Section 6 Fees on documents filed, etc., in Mofussil Courts or in public offices
- Section 7 Computation of fees payable in certain suits
- Section 8 Fee on memorandum of appeal against order relating to compensation
- Section 9 Power to ascertain net profits or market-value
- Section 10 Procedure where net profits or market-value wrongly estimated
- Section 11 Procedure in suits for mesne profits or account when amount decreed exceeds amount claimed
- Section 12 Decision of questions as to valuation
- Section 13 Refund of fee paid on memorandum of appeal
- Section 14 Refund of fee on application for review of judgment
- Section 15 Refund where Court reverses or modifies its former decision on ground of mistake
- Section 17 Multifarious suits
- Section 18 Written examinations of complainants
Chapter IIIA - Probates, Letters of Administration and Certificates of Administration
- Section 19 Exemption of certain documents
- Section 19A Relief where too high a court-fee has been paid
- Section 19B Relief where debts due from a deceased person have been paid out of his estate
- Section 19C Relief in case of several grants
- Section 19D Probates declared valid as to trust-property though not covered by court-fee
- Section 19E Provision for case where too low a court-fee has been paid on probates, etc
- Section 19F Administrator to give proper security before letters stamped under section
- Section 19G Executors, etc., not paying full court-fee on probates, etc., within six months after discovery of underpayment
- Section 19H Notice of applications for probate or letters of administration to be given to Revenue authorities, and procedure thereon
- Section 19I Payment of court-fees in respect of probates and letters of administration
- Section 19J Recovery of penalties, etc
- Section 19K Sections 6 and 28 not to apply to probates or letters of administration
Chapter IV - Process-fees
Chapter V - Mode of Levying Fees
Chapter VI - Miscellaneous
Sections 31 and 32: Repealed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the court fee the same in every State?
No. The applicable rate may differ because of State enactments or amendments and court-specific rules. The correct fee should be checked for the particular court, State and type of proceeding.
Can court fee be paid online?
Where the relevant State and court establishment are enabled, the official eCourts ePay service supports online court-fee payment for new and existing cases.
Does the Act provide for refund?
Yes. The Act includes specific refund provisions, including sections 13, 14 and 15, subject to the law and amendments applicable in the jurisdiction concerned.