Overview
- The Court Fees (Delhi Amendment) Bill, 2026 was presented by minister Parvesh Verma to ensure 100% refunds when cases settle outside court as well as through court-referred ADR.
- Reports diverge on the bill’s status, with some indicating the Assembly passed the amendment while others say it was only introduced.
- The measure would omit Section 16A and amend Section 16 of the Court Fees Act, 1870 to establish a uniform refund rule regardless of settlement mode.
- Government officials said the draft received prior approval from the Centre and the lieutenant governor’s recommendation as required by law.
- The reform applies to civil suits and specified proceedings under the 1870 Act, with officials citing a ₹15,000 fee on a ₹10 lakh claim that would be fully refunded once the law takes effect.