Interpretation of court fee payable for appeal against order on application under Art.226 of the Constitution

1. In this case two matters come up for consideration. According to the appellant's counsel, the court fee payable on a memorandum of appeal filed against an order on an application under Art.226 of the Constitution is only Rs. 2/- under schedule.2 of Art.6 of the Court Fees Act. According to the office, it is Rs. 25/- under the rules framed by the High Court governing applications under Art.226. The Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the Advocate General to whom notice was issued by us supports the appellant's counsel. The provision investing the High Court with rule making power in the matter does not authorise it to make rules for the levy of court fee which has to be done under the provisions of the Court Fees Act. We therefore hold that the rule relied upon by the office is ultra vires and that the proper court fee payable for the appeal is only Rs. 2/-. The next matter is whether the appellant's counsel requires a fresh vakalath from the client for filing the appeal or whether he can make use of the original vakalath given to him before filing the writ application itself for filing the appeal also. According to the office, a fresh vakalath is necessary. In as much as the original vakalath contains as authorisation for filing the appeal also if the decision in the writ application went against the client, we are of the view that no fresh vakalath is necessary for filing the appeal.

Order accordingly.