The Gujarat Court-fees Act, 2004

GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT

LEGISLATIVE AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

THE GUJARAT COURT-FEES ACT, 2004.

(GUJARAT ACT NO. 04 OF 2004)

[As modified upto 31 st January, 2024.]

[2024]

GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT

LEGISLATIVE AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

THE GUJARAT COURT-FEES ACT, 2004.

(GUJARAT ACT NO. 04 OF 2004)

[As modified upto 31 st January, 2024.]

[2024] GCPG-H-153-06-2023-SSD

©

G OVERNMENT C ENTRAL P RESS ,

G ANDHINAGAR .

2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [i]

(1) This Act may be called the Gujarat Court-fees Act, 2004. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Gujarat. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. (4) The provisions of this Act shall not apply to fees or stamps relating to documents presented or to be presented before any officer serving under the Central Government. (5) In the absence of any specific provision to the contrary, nothing in this Act shall affect any special law now in force relating to fees taken in the courts and public offices.

The fees payable for the time being to the clerks and officers (other than the sheriffs and attorneys) of the High Court; or chargeable in that Court under Article 10 of the First Schedule, and Articles 11, 14, 17, 20 and 21 of the Second Schedule annexed to this Act; shall be collected in the manner hereinafter appearing.

No document of any of the kinds specified as chargeable in the First or Second Schedule annexed to this Act shall be filed, exhibited or recorded in any Court of Justice, or shall be received or furnished by any public officer, unless in respect of such document there has been paid a fee of an amount not less than that indicated by either of the said Schedules as the proper fee for such document.

The amount of fees payable under this Act in the suits next hereinafter mentioned shall be computed as follows:- (1) In suits for money (including suits for damages or compensation, or arrears of maintenance, of annuities or of other sums payable periodically) according to the amount claimed. (2) In suits for maintenance (with or without a prayer for the creation of a charge), and for annuities or other sums payable periodically according to the value of (16) In suits for the interest of an assignee of land revenue, thirty times his net profits as such for the year next before the date of presenting the plaint. (17) In suits to set aside an attachment of land or of an interest in land or revenue - according to the amount for which the land or interest was attached: Provided that where such amount exceeds the value of the land or interest, the amount of fee shall be computed as if the suit were for the possession of such land or interest. (18) In suits against a mortgagee for the recovery of the property mortgaged, and in suits by a mortgagee to foreclose the mortgage, or when the mortgage is made by conditional sale, to have the sale declared absolute - according to the principal money expressed to be secured by the instrument of mortgage. (19) In suits for specific performance - (a) of a contract of sale -- according to the amount of the consideration, (b) of a contract of mortgage -- according to the amount agreed to be secured, (c) of a contract of lease -- according to the aggregate amount of the fine or premium (if any) and of the rent agreed to be paid during the first year of the term, (d) of an award -- according to the amount or value of the property in dispute. (20) In the following suits between landlord and tenant - (a) for the delivery by a tenant of the counterpart of a lease, (b) to enhance the rent of a tenant having a right of occupancy, (c) for the delivery by a landlord of a lease, (d) for the recovery of immovable property from a tenant, including a tenant holding over after the determination of a tenancy, (e) to contest a notice of ejectment, (f) to recover the occupancy of immovable property from which a tenant has been illegally ejected by the landlord, and (g) for abatement of rent— according to the amount of the rent of the immovable property to which the suit refers, payable for the year next before the date of presenting the plaint.

(1) The amount of fee payable under this Act on a memorandum of appeal against an order having the force of a decree relating to compensation under any Act for the time being in force for the acquisition of land for public purposes shall be computed according to the difference between the amount awarded and the amount claimed by the appellant. (2) The amount of fee payable under this Act on a memorandum of appeal against an award of a Claims Tribunal preferred under section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, shall be computed as follows: - (i) if such appeal is preferred by the insurer or owner of the motor vehicle, the full ad valorem fee leviable on the amount at which the relief is valued in the memorandum of appeal according to the scale prescribed under Article I of Schedule I; (ii) if such appeal is preferred by any other person - one-half of the ad valorem fee leviable on the amount at which the relief is valued in the memorandum of appeal according to the said scale: Provided that if such person succeeds in the appeal, he shall be liable to make good the deficit, if any, between the full ad valorem fee payable on the relief awarded in the appeal according to the said scale and the fee already paid by him; and the amount of such deficit shall, without prejudice to any other mode of recovery, be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue.

If the Court is of opinion that the subject matter of any suit has been wrongly valued or if an application is made to the Court for the revision of any valuation made, the Court may determine the correct valuation by holding such inquiry as it thinks fit for such purpose, and revise the valuation.

(1) The Court, when making an inquiry under section 8 and any person making an investigation under section 9 shall have respectively for the purposes of such inquiry or investigation, the powers vested in a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely:- (a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath or affirmation; (b) compelling the production of documents or material objects; (c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; (d) taking or receiving evidence on affidavits. (2) An inquiry or investigation referred to in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code.

If in the result of an inquiry under section 8, the Court finds that the subject matter of the suit has been undervalued, the Court shall order the party responsible for the under valuation to pay the costs of the inquiry. If in the result of such inquiry, the Court finds that the subject matter of the suit has not been undervalued, the Court may, in its discretion, order that such costs shall be paid by the Government or by any party to the suit at whose instance the inquiry has been undertaken and if any amount exceeding the proper amount of fee has been paid shall refund the excess amount so paid.

(1) The State Government may appoint generally, or in any case, or for any specified class of cases, in any local area, one or more officers to be called inspecting officers. (2) The inspecting officer may, subject to the control of the Court concerned, examine the records of any case which is pending or has been disposed of, with a view to finding out whether proper fees have been paid therein. (3) If on such examination, the inspecting officer finds that the fee payable under this Act, on any document filed, exhibited or recorded in such case, has not been paid or has been insufficiently paid, he shall report the fact to the presiding officer of the court. (4) Such presiding officer, after satisfying himself of the correctness of such report, shall record a provisional finding that the proper fee has not been paid and determine the amount of the fee payable and such further sum as he thinks reasonable as the costs of the inquiry and the person from whom the fee or the difference thereof, if any, and the costs shall be recoverable. (5) After recording the finding under sub-section (4), the presiding officer shall issue a notice to the person referred to in that sub-section to show cause as to why he should not be ordered to pay the fee and the costs determined thereunder, and if sufficient cause is not shown, the presiding officer shall confirm the finding and make an order requiring such person to pay the proper fee and the cost before a specified date. (6) If such person fails to pay the fee and the costs in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (5), they shall, on the certificate of such presiding officer, be recoverable as an arrears of land revenue.

(1) In a suit or proceeding the difference, if any, between the fee actually paid and the fee which would have been payable, on delivery of judgment, be taxed by the court and shall be leviable from the plaintiff and if not paid by him within thirty days from the date of the judgment be recoverable according to the law and under the rules for the time being in force for the recovery of an arrears of land revenue.

If an appeal or plaint, which has been rejected by the lower Court on any of the grounds mentioned in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, is ordered to be received, or if a suit is remanded in appeal, on any of the grounds mentioned in rule 23 of Order XLI in the First Schedule to the same Code for a second decision by the lower Court, the Appellate Court shall grant to the appellant a certificate, authorising him to receive back from the Collector, the full amount of fee paid on the memorandum of appeal: Provided that if, in the case of remand in appeal, the order of remand shall not cover the whole of the subject matter of the suit, the certificate so granted shall not authorise the appellant to receive back more than so much fee as would have been originally payable on the part or parts of such subject matter in respect whereof the suit has been remanded.

(1) Where an application for a review of judgment is admitted, and where, on the rehearing, the Court reverses or modifies its former decision on the ground of mistake in law or fact, the applicant shall be entitled to a certificate from the Court authorising him to receive back from the Collector so much of the fee paid on the application as exceeds the fee payable on any other application to such Court under clause (c) or (f) of Article 1 of the Second Schedule annexed to this Act. But nothing in the former part of this section shall entitle the applicant to such certificate where the reversal or modification is due, wholly or in part, to fresh evidence which might have been produced at the original hearing. (2) The Collector shall refund such fees as provided under sub-section (1), in money which may also be made by e-payment.

Where a suit embraces two or more distinct subjects, the plaint or memorandum of appeal shall be chargeable with the aggregate amount of the fees to which the plaints or memoranda of appeal in suits embracing separately each of such subjects would be liable under this Act. Nothing in the former part of this section shall be deemed to affect the power conferred by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Schedule 1, Order II, rule 6.

When the first or only examination of a person who complaints of the offence of wrongful confinement, or of wrongful restraint, or of any offence other than an offence for which police officer may arrest without a warrant, and who has not already presented a petition on which a fee has been levied under this Act, is reduced to writing under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the complainant shall pay a fee of Rs. 10 unless the court thinks fit to remit such payment.

Nothing contained in this Act shall render the following documents chargeable with any fee- (i) Power-of-attorney to institute or defend a suit when executed by a member of any of the Armed Forces of the Union not in civil employment. (ii) Application for certified copies of documents or of any other purpose in the course of a criminal proceeding presented by or on behalf of the State Government to a criminal Court. (iii) Written statements called for by the Court after the first hearing of a suit. (iv) Probate of a will, letters of administration, and, save as regards debts and securities, a certificate under the Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 or any corresponding law in force, where the amount or value of the property in respect of which the probate or letters or certificate shall be granted does not exceed Rs. 1,000. (v) Application or petition to the Collector or other officer making a settlement of land revenue, or to a Board of Revenue, or a Commissioner of Revenue, relating to matters connected with the assessment of land or the ascertainment, of rights thereto or interest therein, if presented, previous to the final confirmation of such settlement. (vi) Application relating to supply for irrigation of water belonging to Government. (vii) Application for leave to extend cultivation, or to relinquish land, when presented to an officer of a land revenue by a person holding, under direct engagement with Government, land of which the revenue is settled, but not permanently. (viii) Application for service of notice of relinquishment of land or of enhancement of rent. (ix) Written authority to an agent to distrain. (x) Petition, application, charge or information respecting any offence when presented, made or laid to or before a police officer, or to or before the Heads of Villages or the village police. (xi) Petition by a prisoner, or other person in duress or under restraint of any Court or its officer. (xii) Complaint of a public servant (as defined in the Indian Penal Code), a municipal officer, or an officer or servant of a railway company. (xiii) Application for the payment of money due by the Government to the applicant. (xiv) Petition of appeal against any municipal tax. (xv) Applications for compensation under any law for the time being in force relating to the acquisition of property for public purposes, other then those chargeable under Article 15 of Schedule 1.

Where any person on applying for the probate of a will or letters of administration has estimated the property of the deceased to be of greater value than the same has afterwards proved to be, and has consequently paid too high a court-fee thereon, if, within six months after the true value of the property has been ascertained, such person produces the probate or letters to the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority for the local area in which the probate or letters has or have been granted, and delivers to such Authority a particular inventory and valuation of the property of the deceased, verified by affidavit or affirmation, and if such Authority is satisfied that a greater fee was paid on the probate or letters than the law required, the said Authority may - (a) cancel the stamp on the probate or letters if such stamp has not been already cancelled; (b) substitute another stamp for denoting the court-fee which should have been paid thereon; and (c) make an allowance for the difference between them as in the case of spoiled stamps, or repay the same in money which may also be made by e-payment, at his discretion.

Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of such Authority that an executor or administrator has paid debts due from the deceased to such an amount as, being deducted out of the amounts or value of the estate reduces the same, to a sum which, if it had been the whole gross amount or value of the estate, would have occasioned a less court-fee to be paid on the probate or letters of administration granted in respect of such estate than has been actually paid thereon under this Act, such Authority may return the difference, provided the same be claimed within three years after the date of such probate or letters of administration. But when, by reason of any legal proceeding, the debts due from the deceased have not been ascertained and paid, or his effects have not been recovered and; made available, and in consequence, thereof the executor or administrator is prevented from claiming the return of such difference within the said term of three years, the said Authority may allow such further time for making the claim as may appear to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Whenever a grant of probate or letters of administration has been or is made in respect of the whole of the property belonging to an estate and the full fee chargeable under this Act has been or is paid thereon, no fee shall be chargeable under the same Act when a like grant is made in respect of the whole or any part of the same property belonging to the same estate. Whenever such a grant has been or is made in respect of any property forming part of an estate, the amount of fees then actually paid under this Act shall be deducted when a like grant is made in respect of property belonging to the same estate, identical with or including the property to which the former grant relates.

The probate of the will or the letters of administration of the effects of any person deceased hereto before or hereafter granted shall be deemed valid and available by his executors or administrators for recovering, transferring or assigning any movable or immovable property whereof or whereto the deceased was possessed or entitled either wholly or partially as a trustee, notwithstanding the amount or value of such property is not included in the amount or value of the estate in respect of which a court-fee was paid on such probate or letters of administration.

Where any person on applying for probate or letters of administration has estimated the estate of the deceased to be of less value than the same has afterwards proved to be, and has in consequence paid too low a court-fee thereon, the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority for the local area in which the probate or letters of administration has or have been granted may, on the value of the estate of the deceased being verified by affidavit or affirmation, cause the probate or letters of administration to be duly stamped on payment of the full court-fee which ought to have been originally paid thereon in respect of such value and of the further penalty, if the probate or letters is or are produced within one year from the date of the grant, of five times, or, if it or they, is or are produced after one year from such date, of twenty times, such proper court-fee, without any deduction of the court fee originally paid on such probate or letters of administration: Provided that if the application be made within six months after the ascertainment of the true value of the estate and the discovery that too low a court-fee was at first paid on the probate or letters of administration, and if the said Authority is satisfied that such fee was paid in consequence of a mistake or of its not being known at the time that some particular part of the estate belonged to the deceased, and without any intention of fraud or to delay the payment of the court-fee, the said Authority may remit the said penalty, and cause the probate or letters of administration to be duly stamped on payment only of the sum wanting to make up the fee which should have been at first paid thereon.

In case of letter of administration on which too low a court-fee has been paid at first; the said Authority shall not cause the same to be fully stamped in manner aforesaid until the administrator has given such security to the Court by which the letters of administration have been granted as ought by law to have been given on the granting thereof in case the full value of the estate of the deceased had been then ascertained.

Where too low a court-fee has been paid on any probate or letters of administration in consequence of any mistake, or of its not being known at the time that some particular part of the estate belonged to the deceased, if any executor or administrator acting under such probate or letters of administration does not, within six months after the discovery of the mistake or of any effects not known at the time to have belonged to the deceased, apply to the said Authority and pay what is wanting to make up the court-fee which ought to have been paid at first on such probate or letters of administration, he shall forfeit the sum of one thousand rupees and also a further sum at the rate of ten rupees per cent. on the amount of the sum wanting to make up the proper court-fee.

(1) Where an application for probate or letters of administration is made to any Court other than the High Court, the Court shall cause notice of the application to be given to the Collector. (2) Where such an application as aforesaid is made to the High Court, the High Court shall cause notice of the application to be given to the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority. (3) The Collector within the local limits of whose revenue jurisdiction the property of the deceased or any part thereof is, may at any time inspect or cause to be inspected, and take or cause to be taken copies of, the record of any case in which application for probate or letters of administration has been made; and if, on such inspection or otherwise, he is of opinion that the petitioner has under-estimated the value of the property of the deceased, the Collector shall forward his report, giving therein his reasons for his opinion and his estimate of the true valuation, to the High Court or any other Court, as the case may be, serving at the same time a copy of his report of the petitioner. (4) If within thirty days from the date of receipt of the copy of the Collector's report served on him under sub-section (3), the petitioner does not file in Court his objections to the Collector’s validation, the Court shall make an order amending the petitioner’s valuation, in accordance with the report of the Collector. (5) If within the aforesaid period, the petitioner filed in Court his objection, the Court shall hold, or cause to be held, an inquiry in accordance with the provisions of sections 9, 10 and 11 as if the application were a suit and shall record the finding as to the true value, as near as may be, at which the property of the deceased should have been estimated. The Collector shall be deemed to be a party to the inquiry. (6) The finding of the Court recorded under sub-section (5) shall be final, but shall not bar the entertainment and disposal by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority of any application under section 25. (7) The State Government may make rules for the guidance of Collector, in the exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3).

(1) No order entitling the petitioner to the grant of probate or letters of administration shall be made upon an application for such grant until the petitioner has filed in the Court a valuation of the property in the form set forth in the Third Schedule, and the Court is satisfied that the fee mentioned in Article 10 of the First Schedule has been paid on such valuation. (2) The grant of probate or letters of administration shall not be delayed by reason of any report made by the Collector under sub-section (3) of section 28.

Nothing in sections 4 and 40 shall apply to probates or letters of administration.

[Rules as to costs of process] was deleted by Guj. 14 of 2016, s.20.

A table in the English and regional languages, showing the fees chargeable for such service and execution, shall be exposed to view in a conspicuous part of each court.

Subject to the rules to be made by the High Court and approved by the State Government, every District Judge, the Principal Judge of the City Civil Court and every Magistrate of a District shall fix, and may from time to time alter, the number of peons or persons necessary to be employed for the service and execution of processes issued out of his Court, and each of the Courts subordinate thereto, and for the purposes of this section, every Court of Small Causes established under the law shall be deemed to be subordinate to the Court of the District Judge.

Subject to rules to be framed by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority and approved by the State Government, every officer performing the function of a Collector of a District shall fix, and may from time to time alter, the number of peons necessary to be employed for the service and execution of processes issued out of his Courts or the Court subordinate to him.

All fees shall be charged and collected under this Act at the rate in force on the date on which the document chargeable to court-fees is or was presented.

(1) All fees chargeable under this Act shall be collected by stamps or by e-payment. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where - (a) the State Government, in relation to any area in the State, or (b) the Collector, in relation to any area in the district under his charge, is satisfied that on account of temporary shortage of stamps in any area, fee cannot be paid, and payment of fee cannot be indicated on documents, by means of stamps, the State Government, or as the case may be, the Collector may by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that in such area and for such period as may be specified in such notification, the fee may be paid in cash in any Government treasury or sub-treasury, and the officer-in-charge of such treasury or sub-treasury shall, on production of a challan evidencing payment of fee in such treasury or sub-treasury, certify such payment by endorsement on the document in respect of which fee has been so paid, and state in the said endorsement the amount of the fee so paid. (3) An endorsement made on any document under sub-section (2) shall have the same effect as if the fee of an amount equal to the amount stated in the endorsement had been paid in respect of, and such payment had been indicated on, such document by means of stamps under sub-section (1).

The State Government may, from time to time make rules for regulating -. (a) the supply of stamps to be used under this Act, (b) the number of stamps to be used for denoting any fee chargeable under this Act, (c) the renewal of damaged or spoiled stamps, (d) the keeping accounts of all stamps used under this Act, and (e) the manner of payment of court-fees and refund thereof by e-payment: Provided that in the case of stamps used under section 3 in the High Court, such rules shall be made, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of such Court. All such rules shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall thereupon have the force of law.

No documents which ought to bear stamp under this Act shall be of any validity, unless and until it is properly stamped. But, if any such document is through mistake or inadvertence received, filed or used in any Court or office, without being properly stamped, the presiding Judge or the Head of the Office, as the ease may be, or in the case of the High Court, any Judge of such Court, may, if he thinks fit, order that such document be stamped as he may direct; and, or such document being stamped accordingly, the same and every proceeding relative thereto shall be valid as if it had been properly stamped in the first instance.

Where any such document is amended in order merely to correct a mistake and to make it conform to the original intention of the parties, it shall not be necessary to impose a fresh stamp.

No document requiring a stamp under this Act shall be filed or acted upon in any proceeding in any Court or office until the stamp has been cancelled. Such officer as the Court or the head of office may from time to time appoint shall, on receiving any such document, forthwith effect such cancellation by punching out the figure-head so as to leave the amount designated on the stamp untouched, and the part removed by punching shall be burnt or otherwise destroyed: Provided that where court-fees is paid by e-payment the officer competent to cancel the stamps shall verity the genuineness of the payment and after satisfying himself that the court-fees is paid, shall lock the entry in the computer and make an endorsement under his signature on the document that the court-fees is paid and the entry is locked.

(1) When any suit in a Court is settled by agreement of parties before any evidence is recorded, or any appeal or cross objection is settled by agreement of parties before it is called on for effective hearing by the Court, half the amount of the fee paid by the plaintiff, appellant, or respondent on the plaint, appeal or cross objection, as the case may be, shall be repaid to him by the Court: Provided that no such fee shall be repaid if the amount of fee paid does not exceed Rs. 100 or the claim for repayment is not made within one year from the date on which the suit, appeal or cross objection was settled by agreement. (2) The State Government may, from time to time, by order, provide for repayment to the plaintiffs, appellants or respondents of any part of the fee paid by them on plaints, appeals or cross objections, in suits or appeals disposed of under such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order. Explanation. - For the purpose of this section, effective hearing shall exclude the dates when the appeal is merely adjourned without being heard or argued.

Whenever the filing or exhibition in a Criminal Court of a document in respect of which the proper fee has not been paid is, in the opinion of the Presiding Judge, necessary to prevent a failure of justice, nothing contained in section 4 shall be deemed to prohibit such filing or exhibition.

(1) The State Government may, from time to time make rules for regulating the sale of stamps to be used under this Act, the persons by whom alone such sale is to be conducted, and the duties and remuneration of such persons. (2) All such rules shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall thereupon have the force of law. (3) Any person appointed to sell stamps who disobeys any rules made under this section, and any person not so appointed who sells or offers for sale only stamp, shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to Rs. 5,000 or with both.

The State Government may, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette, reduce or remit, in the whole or in any part of the territories under its administration all or any of the fees mentioned in the First and the Second Schedule annexed to this Act and may in like manner cancel or vary such order.

Nothing in Chapters II and IV of this Act applies to the fees which any officer of the High Court is allowed to receive in addition to a fixed salary.

Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to affect the stamp duties chargeable under any other law for the time being in force relating to stamp duties.

The Bombay Court-fees Act, 1959 in its application to the State of Gujarat, is hereby repealed: Provided that such repeal shall not affect the previous operation of the law so repealed and anything done or any action taken (including any appointment, notification, rules, order, form, application, reference, notice report or certificate made or issued) under the law shall, in so far as this is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provision of this Act and shall continue to be in force accordingly, unless and until superseded by anything done or any action taken under this Act.

In the Suits Valuation Act, 1887, in section 9, the words and figures “of the Court-fees Act, 1870 and” shall be deleted.

(1) All the rules made under this Act, shall be laid for not less than thirty days before the State Legislature as soon as possible after they are made and shall be subject to the rescission by the State Legislature or to such modification as the State Legislature may make during the session in which they are so laid or the session immediately following. (2) Any rescission or modification so made by the State Legislature shall be published in the Official Gazette, and shall thereupon take effect.

Ad valorem fees Name of proceeding Description Fees 1. Plaint or memorandum of appeal (not otherwise provided for in this Act) or of cross objection presented to any Civil or Revenue Court. When the amount or value of the subject matter in dispute does not exceed one hundred rupees. When such amount or value exceeds one hundred rupees, for every ten rupees, or part thereof, in excess of one hundred rupees, up to one thousand rupees. Twenty rupees. Two rupees. When such amount or value exceeds one thousand rupees, for every hundred rupees, or part thereof, in excess of one thousand rupees, up to ten thousand rupees. Twenty rupees. When such amount or value exceeds ten thousand rupees, for every one thousand rupees, or part thereof, in excess of ten thousand rupees, up to one lakh of rupees. One hundred twenty rupees. When such amount or value exceeds one lakh of rupees, for every ten thousand rupees or part thereof in excess of one lakh of rupees: Two hundred rupees. Provided that the maximum fee leviable on a plaint or memorandum of appeal or of cross objection shall be seventy-five thousand rupees. 2. Plaint in a suit for possession under section 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963. ---- A fee of one-half of the amount prescribed in the scale under Article 1. 3. Plaint, application or petition (including memorandum of appeal) to ---- A fee on the amount or value of the award sought to be set aside 47 of 1963. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 19 Name of proceeding Description Fees set aside or modify any award otherwise than under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. or modified according to the scale prescribed under Article 1. 4. Plaint, application or petition (including memorandum of appeal) which is capable of being treated as a suit, to set aside a decree or order having the force of a decree. ---- The same fee as is leviable on a plaint in a suit to obtain the relief granted in the decree or order, as the case may be. 5. Plaint in a suit, application or petition (including memorandum of appeal), to set aside alienation to which the plaintiff, applicant or appellant, as the case may be, was a party, either directly or through a legal guardian other than de facto or ad- hoc guardian, manager or partner or Court. ---- A fee on the extent of the value of alienation to be set aside, according to the scale prescribed under Article 1. 6. Plaint in a suit (including memorandum of appeal) for possession between the guardian and ward, trustee and beneficiary, principal and agent, wife and husband, executor or administrator and beneficiary, receiver and owner of property and between parsons having fiduciary relationship. ---- A fee of one-half of the amount preseribed in the scale under Article 1. 7. Any other plaint, application or petition (including memorandum of appeal), to obtain substantive relief capable of being valued in terms of monetary gain or prevention of monetary ---- A fee on the amount of the monetary gain or loss to be prevented, according to the scale prescribed under Article 1. 26 of 1996. 20 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Name of proceeding Description Fees loss, including cases wherein application or petition is either treated as a plaint or is described as the mode of obtaining the relief as aforesaid. 8. Application for review of judgement if presented on or after the ninetieth day from the date of the decree. ---- The fee leviable on the plaint or memorandum of appeal. 9. Application for review of judgement if presented before the ninetieth day from the date of the decree. ---- One-half of the fee leviable on the plaint or memorandum of appeal. 10. Probate of a will or letters of administration with or without will annexed. When the amount or value of the property in respect of which the grant of probate or letters is made exceeds one thousand rupees, on the part of the amount or value in excess of one thousand rupees, upto fifty thousand rupees. Two per cent. When the amount or value of the property in respect of which the grant of probate or letters is made exceeds fifty thousand rupees, on the part of the amount or value in exeess of fifty thousand rupees, upto two lakhs rupees. Four per cent. When the amount or value of the property in respect of which the grant of probate or letters is made exceeds two lakhs rupees, on the part of the amount or value in excess of two lakhs rupees, upto three lakhs rupees. Six per cent. When the amount or value of the property in respect of which the grant of probate or letters is made exceeds three lakhs rupees, on the part of the amount or value in excess of three lakhs rupees: Seven and half per cent. subject to the maximum of seventy-five thousand rupees. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 21 Name of proceeding Description Fees Provided that when, after the grant of a certificate under Part X of the Succession Act, 1925, or under the Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 or any corresponding law for the time being in force, in respect of any property included in an estate, a grant of probate or letters of administration is made in respect of the same estate, the fee payable in respect of later grant shall be reduced by the amount of the fee paid in respect of the former grant. 11. Certificate under Part X of the Succession Act, 1925. ---- The fee leviable in the case of a probate (Article 10) on the amount or value of any debt or security specified in the certificate under section 374 of the Act, and one and a half times this fee on the amount or value of any debt or security to which the certificate is extended under section 376 of the Act. Note:- (1) The amount of a debt is its amount including interest on the day on which the inclusion of the debt in the certificate if applied for, so far as such amount can be ascertained. (2) Whether or not any power with respect to a security specified in a certificate has been conferred under the 39 of 1925. 39 of 1925. 22 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Name of proceeding Description Fees Act; and where such a power has been so conferred, whether the power is for the receiving of interest or dividends on, or for the negotiation or transfer of the security, or for both purposes, the value of the security is its market value on the day on which the inclusion of the security in the certificate is applied for, so far as such value can be ascertained. 12. Certificate under Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 or under any corresponding law in force. ---- The fee leviable in the case of a probate (Article 10) on the amount or value of the property in respect of which the certificate is granted. 13. Plaint presented with an originating summons under the Rules of the High Court. ---- The fee leviable on a plaint in suit for the same relief, subject to a minimum fee of sixty rupees. 14. Application to the Court under section 543 of the Companies Act, 1956. ---- The fee leviable on a plaint in a suit for the same relief. 15. Application to the Collector for a reference to the Court under section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. ----- One-half of the ad- valorem fee on the difference, if any, between the amount awarded by the Collector and the amount claimed by the applicant, according to 1 of 1956. 1 of 1894. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 23 Name of proceeding Description Fees the scale prescribed under Article I of Schedule I, subject to a minimum fee of thirty rupees. 16. Application or petition made by any assessee to the High Court under section 256 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. ---- One-half of the ad- valorem fee leviable on the amount in dispute (namely, the difference between the amount actually assessed and the amount admitted by the assessee as assessable), subject to the minimum fee of one hundred rupees. 17. Application or petition made by any person (other than the Collector or the Commissioner) to the High Court under any provision of the sales tax law for the time being in force in any part of the State of Gujarat. ---- One-half of the ad- valorem fee leviable on the amount in dispute (namely, the difference between the amount actually assessed and the amount admitted by the assessee as assessable), subject to the minimum fee of one hundred rupees. Table of rates of ad-valorem fees leviable on the institution of suits When the amount of value of the subject matter exceeds But does not exceed Proper fee 1 2 3 Rs. Rs. Rs. 1 1000 10 1000 2000 200 2000 3000 300 3000 4000 400 4000 5000 500 5000 6000 600 6000 7000 700 7000 8000 800 8000 9000 900 43 of 1961. 24 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 When the amount of value of the subject matter exceeds But does not exceed Proper fee 1 2 3 9000 10000 1000 10000 15000 1250 15000 20000 1500 20000 21000 1525 21000 22000 1600 22000 23000 1675 23000 24000 1750. 24000 25000 1825 25000 26000 1900 26000 27000 1975 27000 28000 2050 28000 29000 2125 29000 30000 2200 30000 32000 2375 32000 34000 2500 34000 36000 2650 36000 38000 2800 38000 40000 2950 40000 42000 3100 42000 44000 3250 44000 46000 3400 46000 48000 3550 48000 50000 3700 50000 55000 4000 55000 60000 4300 60000 65000 4600 65000 70000 4900 70000 75000 5200 and the fees increases at the rate of Rs. 150 for every Rs.5000 or part thereof, upto Rs. 1,00,000 and over Rs. 1,00,000 at the rate of Rs. 200 for every rupees 10,000 or part thereof, upto Rs. 10,00,000 and over Rs. 10,00,000 at the rate of Rs. 1,200 for every Rs.1,00,000 or part thereof, upto Rs.20,00,000 and over Rs.20,00,000 at the rate of Rs.500 for every Rs.1,00,000 or part thereof, upto a maximum fee of Rs.75,000, for example Rs. Rs. 100000 5950 200000 7950 300000 9950 400000 11950 500000 13950 600000 15950 700000 17950 800000 19950 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 25 Rs. Rs. 900000 21950 1000000 23950 1100000 25150 1200000 26350 1300000 27550 1400000 28750 1500000 29950 1600000 31150 1700000 32350 1800000 33550 1900000 34750 2000000 35950 2100000 36450 2200000 36950

Fixed Fees Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 1. Application or petition (a) When Presented to any officer of the Excise Department or to any Magistrate by any person having dealings with the Government and when the subject matter of such application relates exclusively to those dealings: Three rupees. or when presented to any officer of land revenue by any person holding temporarily settled land under direct engagement with Government and when the subject matter of the application of petition relates exclusively to such engagement; or when presented to any Municipal Commissioner under any Act for the time being in force for the conservancy or improvement of any place, if the application or petition relates solely to such conservancy or improvement; or when presented to any Civil Court other than a principal Civil Court of 26 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 original jurisdiction; or to any Court of Small Causes or to a Collector or other officer of revenue or to a public officer in relation to any suit or case in which the amount of value of the subject matter is less then fifty rupees, not being an application for assistance under section 86 of the Bombay Land Revenue Code, 1879 or under any corresponding law for the time being in force; or when presented to any Civil, Criminal or Revenue Court, or to any Board or executive officer for the purpose of obtaining a copy of translation of any judgment, decree or other passed by such Court, Board or Officer, or of any other document on record in such Court or office; (b) when presented to a Collector or other officer of revenue for assistance under section 86 of the Bombay Land Revenue Code, 1879 or under any corresponding law for the time being in force; Ten rupees. (c) when containing a complaint or charge of any offence and presented to any Criminal Court; Three rupees. or when presented to a Civil, Criminal or Revenue Court, or to a Collector or any Revenue Officer or to a public officer having jurisdiction equal or subordinate to be Collector, or to any Magistrate in his executive capacity and not otherwise provided for by this Act; or to deposit in court revenue or rent; or for determination by a Court of the amount of compensation to be paid by a landlord to his tenant; (d) when presented to any competent authority for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of domicile; Ten rupees. Bom. V of 1879. Bom. V of 1879. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 27 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 (e) when presented to a Chief Controlling Revenue Authority or Executive Authority or to a Commissioner of Revenue or to any Chief Officer charged with the executive administration of a division and not otherwise provided for by this Act; Twenty-five rupees. (f) when presented to the High Court----- (i) for directions, orders or writs under article 226 of the Constitution of India for any purpose other than the enforcement of the fundamental rights conferred by Part III thereof; One hundred rupees. (ii) for directions, orders or writs under article 226 for the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights conferred by Part III of the Constitution or for the exercise of its jurisdiction under article 227 thereof; Fifty rupees. (iii) in any other case not otherwise provided for by this Act. Twenty rupees. 2. Revision application when presented to the High Court under section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or against the order of the court of Small Causes. ......... Fifty rupees. 3. Application to any Civil Court that records may be called for from another Court. When the Court grants the application and is of opinion that the transmission of such records involves the use of the post. Five rupees in addition to any fee levied on the application under clause (a), clause (c) or clause (f) of Article 1 of this Schedule. 5 of 1908. 28 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 4. First application (other than a petition containing a criminal charge or information) for the summons of a witness or other person to attend either to give evidence or to produce a document, or in respect of the production or filing of an exhibit not being an affidavit for the immediate purpose of being produced in Court. ......... Two rupees. 5. Application for leave to sue as a pauper. ......... Five rupees. 6. Application for leave to appeal as a pauper. (a) When presented to a District Court. (b) When presented to a Commissioner or the High Court. Ten rupees. Twenty rupees. 7. Plaint or memorandum of appeal in a suit to obtain possession under the Mamlatdar’s Courts Act, 1906. ......... Ten rupees. 8. Plaint or memorandum of appeal in a suit to establish or disprove a right of occupancy. ......... Ten rupees. 9. Bail-bond or other instrument of obligation given in pursuance of an order made by a Court or Magistrate under any section of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, other than section 109 or 110 thereof or under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and not otherwise provided for by this Act. ......... Five rupees. 2 of 1974. Bom. II of 1906. 5 of 1908. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 29 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 10. Bail-bonds in criminal cases, recognizance to prosecute and recognizances for personal appearance or otherwise. ......... Two rupees. 11. Undertaking under section 49 of the Divorce Act, 1869. ......... Five rupees. 12. Mukhtarnama or Wakalatnama. When presented for the conduct of any one case,- (a) to any Civil or Criminal Court other than a District Court or Court of Session or the High Court or to any Revenue Court or to any Collector or Magistrate or other executive officer; (b) to a District Court or Court of Session; (c) to the High Court. Two rupees. Three rupees. Five rupees. 13. Memorandum of appeal when the appeal is not from a decree or an order having the force of a decree, and is presented - (a) to any Civil Court other than the High Court or to any Revenue Court or Executive Officer other than the High Court or Chief Controlling Revenue Authority or Executive Authority; Two rupees. (b) to the Chief Controlling Executive or Revenue Authority; Five rupees. (c) to the High Court. Ten rupees. 14. Caveat When the amount or value of the property involved does not exceed two thousand rupees. When the amount or value of the property involved exceeds two thousand rupees. Twenty rupees. Fifty rupees. 15. Application for permission to cut timber in Government forests, or otherwise relating to such forests. ......... Five rupees. 4 of 1869. 30 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 16. Memorandum of appeal presented to- (a) the State Government, (b) any Forest Officer, where such appeal is provided for, by or under the Forest Act, 1927 or any corresponding law in force. ......... ......... Ten rupees. Five rupees. 17. Petition in a suit under the Converts’ Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866. ......... Fifty rupees. 18. Application- (a) under section 8 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; (b) for probate or letters of administration or for revocation thereof under the Succession Act, 1925; (c) for a certificate under Part X of the Succession Act, 1925, or Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 or any corresponding law for the time being in force; ......... When the amount or value of the estate does not exceed two thousand rupees. When it exceeds two thousand rupees, One hundred rupees. Twenty rupees. Forty rupees. (d) for opinion or advice or for discharge from a Trust, or for appointment of new trustees under section 34, 72, 73 or 74 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; ......... Fifty rupees. 16 of 1927. 21 of 1866. 26 of 1996. 39 of 1925. 39 of 1925. 2 of 1882. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 31 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 (e) under rule 58 of Order XXI of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, regarding a claim to attached property. When the amount or value of the property exceeds five hundred rupees. Fifty rupees. 19. Agreement in writing stating a question for the opinion of the Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. ......... Fifty rupees. 20. Every petition under the Divorce Act, 1869, except petitions under section 44 of that Act and every memorandum of appeal under section 55 of that Act. ......... Fifty rupees. 21. Plaint, application, petition, or memorandum or appeal under the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936, the Special Marriage Act, 1954 or the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; ......... Fifty rupees. Provided that where in addition to divorce damages are claimed. ......... A fee as above plus a fee on the amount of damages claimed according to the scale prescribed under Article 1 of Schedule 1. 22. Petitions under sections 45 and 48 of the Christian Marriage Act, 1872. ......... Fifty rupees. 23. Plaint, petition or application (including memorandum of appeal) which is capable of being treated as a suit- (a) for annulment of marriage; ......... Fifty rupees. 15 of 1872. 5 of 1908. 5 of 1908. 4 of 1869. 3 of 1936. 43 of 1954. 25 of 1955. 32 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 (b) for dissolution of marriage; (c) in suit for custody of minor; (d) for restitution of conjugal rights; (e) for judicial separation; (f) in or to any Civil Court not otherwise provided for and the subject matter of which is not capable of being estimated in money value. ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... Fifty rupees. Twenty rupees. Fifty rupees. Fifty rupees. One hundred rupees. 24. Copy or translation of a judgement or order not being, or having the force, of a decree. When such judgement or order is given or made by any Civil Court or by any Revenue Court. When such judgement or order is given or made by the High Court. Two rupees. Five rupees. 25. Copy of a decree or Order having the force of a decree. When such decree or order is made by any Civil Court or by any Revenue Court; When such decree or order is made by the District Court. When such decree or order is made by the High Court. Five rupees. Ten rupees. Fifteen rupees. 26. Copy of any document (including power of attorney) liable to stamp duty under the Bombay Stamp Act, 1958, or the Stamp Act, 1899 or any corresponding law in force, as the case may be, when left by any party to a suit or proceeding in place of the original withdrawn. (a) When the stamp duty chargeable on the original does not exceed one rupee. (b) in any other case. The amount of the duty chargeable on the original. Ten rupees. 27. Copy of any revenue or judicial proceeding or For every three hundred and sixty words or fraction thereof. Two rupees. Bom. 60 of 1958. 2 of 1899. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 33 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 order not otherwise provided for by this Act, or copy of any account, statement, report or the like, taken out of any Civil or Criminal or Revenue Court or office, or from the office of any Chief Officer charged with the executive administration of a division. 28. Application made under the Bombay Money-lenders Act, 1946 or under any corresponding law in force. .......... Ten rupees. 29. Application presented to any Registration Officer for search of registration records. .......... Five rupees. 30. Appeal or application to the Registrar under section 72 or 73, as the case may be, of the Registration Act, 1908. .......... Five rupees. 31. Application for a licence under sub-clause (i) of clause (w) of sub-section (1) of section 33 of the Bombay Police Act, 1951, or any corresponding law in force. .......... Five rupees. 32. Application or appeal to the Regional or State Transport Authority or the State Government under Chapter V of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. .......... Ten rupees. 33. Election petition questioning the election of a person in respect of the office - Bom. 31 of 1947. 16 of 1908. Bom. 22 of 1951. 59 of 1988. 34 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 (a) of Sarpanch or Upa- Sarpanch or member of a Panchayat; (b) of councilor or member of a Municipality, District Local Board or such other Local Authority; (c) of Mayor or Deputy Mayor or councilor of a Municipal Corporation or President, Vice- President, Chairman or Vice-Chairman or any local authority referred to in clause (b). .......... .......... .......... Fifty rupees. One hundred rupees. Five hundred rupees. 34. Application or petition to the Court under section 391, 439 or 522 of the Companies Act, 1956. .......... One hundred rupees. Any other application or petition to the Court for judicial action or relief under the said Act, not otherwise provided for under this Act. .......... Fifty rupees. 35. Application - (a) for order of arrest or attachment before judgement or for temporary injunction; (b) for compensation for arrest or attachment before judgement or in respect of temporary injunction obtained on insufficient grounds; (c) for the appointment of a receiver in a case in which the applicant .......... .......... .......... Ten rupees. Ten rupees. Ten rupees. 1 of 1956. 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 35 Nature of Proceeding Descriptions Fees 1 2 3 has no present right of. possession of the property in dispute (d) for setting aside decree passed ex-parte or for review of order dismissing suit for default. ........... Ten rupees. 36. Appeal or application to the Co-operative Tribunal. ........... Twenty rupees. 37. Application made by a party to the Magistrate under section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. ........... Twenty rupees. 38. Application for enrolment under the Advocates Act, ........... Twenty Five rupees. 39. Application for adjournment presented to the Court in any proceedings. ........... Two rupees.

{See section 29) Form of valuation (to be used with such modifications, if any, as may be necessary). IN THE COURT OF ; RE-PROBATE of the Will of the property and credits of (or Administration of,) deceased. solemnly affirm make oath I, and say that I am the executor (or one of the executors or one of the next of kin) of ......................................................................................., deceased, and that I have truly set forth in Annexure A to this affidavit all the property and credit of which the above named deceased died possessed or was entitled to at the time of his death, and which have come, or are likely to come, to my hands. 2 of 1974. 25 of 1961. 36 The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. [ 2004: Guj.4 2. I further say that I have also truly set forth in Annexure B all the items I am by law allowed to deduct. 3. I further say that the said assets, exclusive only of such last mentioned items but inclusive of all rents, interest, dividends and increased values since the date of the death of the said deceased, are under the value of – ANNEXURE A VALUATION OF THE MOVEABLE AND IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY OF THE DECEASED Rs.. Cash in the house and at the banks, household goods, wearing apparel, books, ......................... plate, jewels, etc. (State estimated value according to best of Executor's or Administrator's belief). Property in Government securities transferable at the Public Debt Office. ......................... (State description and value at the price of the day; also the interest separately, calculating it to the time of making the application). Immoveable property consisting of ......................... (State description, giving, in the case of houses the assessed value, if any, and the number of years' assessment the market-value is estimated at, and in the case of land, the area, the market -value and all rents that have accrued). Leasehold property ......................... (If the deceased held any leases for years determinable, state the number of years' purchase the profit rents are estimated to be worth and the value of such, inserting separately arrears due at the date of death and all rents received or due since that date to the time of making the application). Property in public companies ......................... (State the particulars and the value calculated at the price of the day; also the interest separately, calculating it to the time of making the application). Policy of insurance upon life, money out on mortgage and other securities, such as bonds, mortgages, bills, notes and other securities for money ......................... (State the amount of the whole; also the interest separately, calculating it to the time of making the application). Books-debts ......................... 2004: Guj.4 ] The Gujarat Court-Fees Act, 2004. 37 (other than bad). Stock-in-trade ......................... (State the estimated value, if any). Other property not comprised under the foregoing heads ......................... (State the estimated value, if any). ____________________ Total: ____________________ Deduct amount shown in Annexure B not subject to duty .............................. _____________________ Net Total : _______________________ ANNEXURE B