Kochi, April 10 -- Functioning of courts across Kerala came to a standstill on Wednesday as lawyers stayed off from work in protest against what they called "unprecedented hike" in court fees and imposition of ad valorem fees without any upper limit introduced by the State Government.
The boycott of courts came amid hearing of a petition filed by Kerala High Court Advocates Association in the High Court. A series of cases were dismissed by courts due to non-appearance of counsel concerned.
Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and S Easwaran pointed out in the court that abstention from work by lawyers was "unethical and preposterous".
Kerala's Finance Minister KN Balagopalan, in his 2025-2026 Budget proposals had announced a hike of 400 to ...