Law Ministry Establishes Framework for Court Fee Violations in Union Territories

The Union Territories Court Fees (Adjudication of Penalties and Appeal) Rules, 2026, issued on Saturday, operationalise sections 34A and 34B of the Court Fees Act, 1870, following amendments introduced under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. The new framework shifts focus from criminal prosecution to administrative enforcement and time-bound conflict resolution for non-fraudulent violations of court fee and stamp duty regulations.

Under the amended legislation, criminal punishment for minor violations has been replaced with financial penalties, streamlining the enforcement process. The rules establish a structured mechanism whereby revenue officers, licensed stamp vendors and members of the public can lodge complaints regarding violations with designated adjudicating officers.

The adjudicating officers appointed under the new rules possess authority to investigate alleged breaches and impose penalties in accordance with the Court Fees Act. This administrative approach aims to enhance accountability while ensuring swift resolution of disputes without resorting to lengthy criminal proceedings.

The move reflects the government's broader push under the Jan Vishwas initiative to decriminalise minor regulatory violations and promote ease of compliance. Officials emphasise that the rules maintain the integrity of the stamp duty system while offering a more efficient and proportionate response to inadvertent or technical breaches by stakeholders across the Union Territories.