Delhi High Court Pulls Up Delhi Development Authority Over Non-Payment of Counsel Fees

The Delhi High Court reprimanded the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for delaying payment of professional fees to an advocate appointed as Special Counsel in 2013 to represent DDA and the Ministry before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Justice Sachin Datta expressed deep dismay at DDA's conduct, stating public authorities must not evade payments to their advocates as it harms the lawyer-client relationship and rule of law.

The Court held a writ petition is maintainable for recovering such fees from state bodies when engagement is undisputed.

It ordered DDA to pay all outstanding dues with 9% interest from each bill's due date, allowing deductions for duplicate billing on same-day hearings.

[Ravi Prakash Mehrotra v. Delhi Development Authority & Anr.]