Court Fees Act, 1870 – Bare Act Free PDF Download

The Court Fees Act, 1870 is a financial statute that lays down the fee structure for judicial filings. It mandates litigants to pay a prescribed fee —

Court Fees Act, 1870 – Bare Act, Overview & Free PDF Download

The Court Fees Act, 1870 is an essential legislation that governs the fees payable to courts for filing suits, appeals, applications, and other judicial proceedings in India. It ensures that proper charges are collected for accessing the legal system, and the proceeds often go to the state government's revenue.

In this blog post, you’ll learn:

• What the Court Fees Act is all about

• Its key features and objectives

• Applicability and scope

• Structure and important sections

• How to download the Bare Act PDF for free

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📜 What is the Court Fees Act, 1870?

The Court Fees Act, 1870 is a financial statute that lays down the fee structure for judicial filings. It mandates litigants to pay a prescribed fee — called court fee — before their documents or petitions are accepted by a court.

This Act primarily applies to:

• Civil suits

• Appeals and revisions

• Applications under special laws

• Documents filed in courts of law

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🧭 Objective of the Act

The primary objectives of the Court Fees Act, 1870, are:

• To generate government revenue through judicial proceedings

• To discourage frivolous litigation by ensuring parties pay a small cost to initiate court action

• To standardize fee structures across various civil and revenue courts

• To promote judicial efficiency by streamlining document submission with mandatory fees

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📅 Applicability of the Act

• The Act is applicable to civil courts across most states in India.

• However, some states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Gujarat have their own modified versions or amended rules.

• It applies to both High Courts and subordinate courts, depending on the type of proceeding.

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🧱 Structure of the Court Fees Act, 1870

• Chapters: 3

• Sections: 56

• Schedules: 2 main Schedules (Schedule I & II)

📖 Chapters in the Act

1. Chapter I – Preliminary

   • Deals with definitions and scope of the Act

2. Chapter II – Fees in the High Courts and other Courts

   • Specifies when and how court fees are payable

3. Chapter III – Mode of Levy

   • Describes how the fee is to be paid and what happens in case of deficiency

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📘 Key Features of the Court Fees Act

1. Prescribes fees for various court documents, such as plaints, written statements, and appeals

2. Court fees are generally affixed using adhesive or impressed stamps

3. Provides rules for refund of court fees in specific cases

4. Allows courts to investigate and determine proper court fee amounts

5. Includes provisions related to suits by indigent persons (paupers)

6. State legislatures can amend or revise fee rates as applicable in their jurisdiction

7. Penalties apply if court fees are underpaid or misused

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📘 Important Sections You Should Know

1. Section 4 – Fees on documents filed in courts must be paid as per the Act

2. Section 6 – Documents not bearing the proper fee are inadmissible

3. Section 7 – Details how the value of a suit is determined for calculating fee

4. Section 11 – Power of court to determine sufficiency of fee

5. Section 16 – Penalty for underpayment or evasion of fee

6. Section 19 – Procedure for refund of court fee

7. Schedule I – Lists fees for documents in High Courts and other superior courts

8. Schedule II – Covers fees for processes in subordinate courts and offices

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💡 Common Types of Court Fees Under This Act

• Suits for property or money – Based on the market value or claim amount

• Declaratory suits – Fixed fees

• Suits for injunctions or partition – Valued as per guidelines

• Appeals and revisions – Depend on the original value of the case

• Applications (like probate, letters of administration, etc.) – Fees as per fixed slabs

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📥 How to Download the Court Fees Act, 1870 Bare Act (PDF)

You can download the Court Fees Act, 1870 Bare Act PDF by visiting trusted government legal portals such as:

• Law ministry websites

• India Code portal

• State government law departments

Search this phrase on your browser:
"Court Fees Act 1870 Bare Act PDF site:gov.in"

PDFs are available in English, Hindi, and in regional state amendments.

Download Bare cat of the Court Fees Act, 1870

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🎓 Who Should Study the Court Fees Act?

• Law students (LLB, LLM)

• Judicial exam aspirants (PCS-J, APO, HJS)

• Lawyers and legal interns

• Clerks and court officers

• Civil service candidates with law optional

• Government employees in court departments

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is the Court Fees Act, 1870 still in force in India?

Yes, it is applicable in most Indian states, with state-wise amendments where applicable.

Q2. What happens if I don't pay the correct court fee?

Your case may be rejected or kept pending until the proper fee is paid.

Q3. Can court fees be refunded?

Yes, in certain cases (like withdrawal of suit or appeal), partial refunds may be allowed.

Q4. Do criminal cases require court fees?

No, criminal cases do not require court fees. This Act applies mostly to civil and revenue matters.

Q5. Is the Act applicable to e-filing of cases?

Yes. Many courts now digitally process court fee payments through e-stamp portals.

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✍️ Conclusion

The Court Fees Act, 1870 plays a crucial role in the smooth functioning of the Indian judiciary. It balances the accessibility of courts with administrative revenue, ensuring every legal action carries a small yet meaningful cost. For law students, professionals, and exam aspirants, knowing this Act is essential for understanding how the legal system operates.

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🔎 Related Posts 

• Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) – Bare Act PDF

• Indian Stamp Act, 1899 – Explained

• Top 10 Bare Acts for Judiciary Preparation

• How Court Fees Are Calculated in India – A Beginner's Guide