1. The petitioner is O.P.2025 of 1985, Shri. K.R. Kurup a practising advocate of this Court has been appointed as Standing Counsel for Regional Transport Authorities and State Transport Authority in the State Transport Appellate Tribunal for three years. After the expiry of the said term of three years on 15-7-1985, Shri. K.K. Dharmalal, Advocate who is the petitioner in O.P. 11479 of 1985 was appointed as Standing Counsel for Regional Transport Authorities and State Transport Authority in the STAT for a period of two years. His term of appointment expired on 27-11-1987 and thereafter Shri. P. Santhoshkumar, Advocate was appointed as Standing Counsel for a period of two years. The short question arising for consideration is whether the Standing Counsel is required to affix stamp under the Advocates' Welfare Fund Act on the memoranda filed before the STAT.

2. The petitioners in the Original Petitions took the stand before the STAT that they are not bound by law either to file a vakalath or any memo of appearance. Alternatively it is contended that the memoranda of appearances filed by the petitioners can be considered as exempted under the proviso to S.23(1) of the Advoca