New Delhi: The Ministry of law hikes government counsel fees has become a major update for legal professionals across India. Effective February 1, 2026, the Ministry of Law and Justice has revised the fee structure for government counsels appearing in the Supreme Court, High Courts, Tribunals, District Courts and Arbitration forums.
This new pay framework ensures higher compensation for advocates representing the Central Government, including Group ‘A’ Counsel, the Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General, and other panel counsel.
Details of Government Counsel Fees Hike
The Department of Legal Affairs, part of the Ministry of Law and Justice, issued an Office Memorandum dated February 5, 2026. This notification updates the fees paid to various categories of Central Government Counsel and Law Officers.
The revision was approved in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure.
The new rates replaced the older fee structure and apply only to work done on or after February 1, 2026. Work completed before this date will be paid at previous rates.
Supreme Court Fee Structure
The government counsel fees hike brings significant changes for counsels appearing in the Supreme Court of India:
- Group ‘A’ Counsel: Now paid ₹21,600 per case per day for final hearings of regular appeals and writ petitions.
- Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ Counsel: Receive ₹14,400 per case per day for similar work.
- Admission Matters (SLPs, writ admissions): Group ‘A’ receives ₹14,400, while Groups ‘B’ & ‘C’ get ₹7,200 per case.
- Drafting Work: Fees for preparing Special Leave Petitions (SLPs), counter-affidavits, or rejoinders are ₹14,400 for Group ‘A’ and ₹7,200 for Groups ‘B’ and ‘C’.
- Outstation Appearances: Same as regular hearing fees when counsel travel outside their headquarters.
This tiered structure ensures more experienced panel counsels are compensated at higher levels.
High Courts and Tribunal Fees
The Ministry also revised fees for counsels representing the Government of India in High Courts and Tribunals, excluding the Principal Benches at Bombay and Calcutta:
- Retainership: Monthly retainers of ₹14,400 for Deputy Solicitors General, Senior Central Government Standing Counsel, and other designated roles.
- Hearing Fees: Effective hearings in writ petitions, appeals, and suits now earn ₹14,400 per case per day; non-effective hearings are compensated at ₹2,400 (up to 5 such hearings).
- Drafting Fees: Counsel receive ₹4,800 per drafted pleading or counter affidavit.
These changes aim to standardize compensation across tribunals and High Courts outside Bombay and Calcutta.
Special Rates: Bombay & Calcutta High Courts
The fee structure includes a special category for Bombay and Calcutta High Courts:
- Special Counsel Hearing Fee: ₹14,400 per effective hearing.
- Senior Counsel Group-I: ₹9,600.
- Senior Counsel Group-II: ₹6,000.
- Drafting Pay: ₹6,000 for Special Counsel; ₹4,800 for Senior Counsel Group-I.
This tier reflects the legal complexity and cost environment in major legal markets like Mumbai and Kolkata.
District and Subordinate Courts
For Standing Government Counsel appearing in District and Subordinate Courts across the country:
- Monthly Retainership: ₹9,600 (except in Delhi).
- Hearing Fees: ₹2,880 per effective hearing and ₹960 for a non-effective hearing.
- Drafting Charges: ₹2,400 per written statement or appeal draft.
This increase is designed to help government counsels who work at the grassroots level of the Indian judiciary.
Government Counsel Fees Hike: Arbitration Counsel New Fee Structure
The Office Memorandum also revises fees for advocates handling arbitration matters:
- Senior Arbitration Counsel: ₹3,600 per effective hearing.
- Junior Arbitration Counsel: ₹2,400 per effective hearing.
- Drafting Fees: ₹2,400 for senior and ₹1,200 for junior counsel per pleading.
These changes seek to align arbitration compensation with the broader fee framework.
Government Counsel Fees Hike: New Fees Structure of Law Officers
Separate from counsel fees, the Central Government has also revised Law Officers’ retainers:
- Attorney General of India: ₹1,20,000 per month.
- Solicitor General of India: ₹96,000 per month.
- Additional Solicitors General: ₹72,000 per month.
Their appearances and advisory fees in different categories of cases have also been updated under the same rules.
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