A recent order by the Hon’ble Madras High Court brings crucial clarity to the computation of court fees in declaration suits.

Representing the plaintiff, Mr. Rahul Jagannathan successfully argued that the court fee should be strictly computed under Section 25(d) of the Tamil Nadu Court Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1955, rather than the more financially burdensome Sections 25(a) or 25(b).

The trial court had initially demanded a court fee that would have cost the plaintiff an additional ₹14,99,000/-. Accepting the arguments presented, the High Court set aside the trial court’s order and directed that the suit be numbered by computing the fee under Section 25(d).

A major relief for the client and an important reminder on the precise application of the Court Fees Act!