State Bar Council Cannot Levy Fee for Transfer of Enrollment: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that the State Bar Council cannot charge a fee for transferring the enrollment of an advocate to Madhya Pradesh from another state.

The petitioner had challenged a demand of ₹15,000 made by the Bar Council for the transfer. Earlier, the Court had passed an interim order directing the Bar Council to register the advocate without any fee.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice expressed strong disapproval, noting that the Advocates Act contains no provision permitting such a charge. The Court reiterated that enrollment transfers must be completed free of cost.

[Rohit Pathak v The Bar Council of India and Others]