The Madras High Court bench here has ordered interim stay on a notification that mandated the advocates to affix stamps for Rs 30 in documents filed before the courts and tribunals in Tamil Nadu.
S.M. Anantha Murugan, an advocate, had filed a writ petition challenging the notification issued on March 30, 2013 by the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu that required advocates to affix stamps worth Rs 30 in the memos and the vakalaths. He said until the notification was issued, the advocates affixed stamps for Rs 10. The notification was issued based on an amendment carried out in Section 23 of Tamil Nadu Advocates Fund Act, 1987.
The sudden hike would adversely impact the welfare of the litigants and the advocates, Mr Anantha Murugan claimed. He further criticised the Bar Council for announcing a hike in life-time and annual subscription for membership of advocates in the council. The annual subscription for advocates with more than 10 years of practice has been hiked from Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000 and the life subscription for senior advocates has been hiked from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, he claimed.
The notification was communicated to the advocates through a circular from the Madras High Court Registry, he added.
Justice K.K. Sasidharan ordered notice to the Madras High Court Registry and the Tamil Nadu Bar Council, besides ordered interim stay on the notification.
