EPFO circular No. Legal Consultation-Part (1)/Circular/E50586/2759 · 08 Jul 2026
Official title
Revision of Fee payable to panel advocates of the Central Board/EPFO - Regarding No. Legal Consultation-Part (1)Circular/E50586/2759 dated 08/07/2026
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The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has revised the fee structure for panel advocates representing the Central Board/EPFO across various judicial forums, including the Supreme Court, High Courts, Tribunals, and District Courts. The revision aligns with the Department of Legal Affairs' Office Memorandum dated February 5, 2026. The circular details specific fee rates for hearings, drafting, conferences, and travel expenses, while maintaining existing terms and conditions from previous Ministry of Law & Justice guidelines. Advocates are required to submit bills through the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS) with supporting documentation. Payments are to be processed by field offices within one month of receiving complete bills. These rates are effective immediately.
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EMPLOYEES' PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA HEAD OFFICE BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAWAN, 14, BHIKAIJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI 110066
No. Legal Consultation-Part (1)/Circular/E50586/2759 Date: 08.07.2026
OFFICE CIRCULAR
Subject: Revision of fee payable to panel advocates of the Central Board/EPFO – regarding.
Reference is invited to the Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA), Ministry of Law & Justice, OM No. J-12011/6/2025-Judicial/E.158060 dated 05.02.2026, whereby the revised fee structure for Government Counsels for all courts/tribunals has been notified.
A. Supreme Court
TABLE – A
| Item of work | Revised fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| Regular Appeals and defended Writ Petitions (for final hearing) per case per day | 14400/- |
| All defended admission matters (SLPs, writ petitions and other miscellaneous matters for admission) per case per day | 7200/- |
| Settling of pleadings (per case) | 4800/- |
| Appearance in Miscellaneous Applications (per case) | 4800/- |
| Drafting SLP/Counter Affidavit/Rejoinder etc. (per case) | 4800/- |
| Drawing Written Submission (per case) | 4800/- |
| Drafting or appearance in Miscellaneous Applications, including mentioning the case, caveat, clearance, obtaining the number and taking date for hearing (per case) | 4800/- |
| Conference (per conference) Subject to: (i) One conference for settling pleadings. (ii) in respect of hearing of writ matters, suits, appeals and Supreme Court leave applications etc., maximum three conferences | 1440/- |
| Daily fee for services out of Headquarters | 14400/- |
| Entitlement for travel/hotel expenses for services availed outside Headquarters | Where a panel advocate is required to travel outside headquarters in the course of official duty, he/she shall be paid or reimbursed travelling, boarding and lodging expenses as per Level-12 of the 7th CPC of the Central Government. |
| Clerkage | Nil |
| Fee in identical/connected cases | If substantially identical SLPs/Petitions/Appeals/Counter Affidavits including stay applications are drafted in connected cases, only one drafting fee shall be payable in the main case and no separate drafting fee shall be payable in connected cases. |
| Out-of-pocket and miscellaneous expenses | Not applicable |
B. High Courts, CGIT, CAT, NCDRC, NCLT, NCLAT and SCDRC
TABLE – B
| Sl. No. | Item of work | Revised fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suits, Writ Petitions and Appeals, including oral applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in Writ Petitions, along with Criminal Revision Applications, Criminal Reference matters, Contempt Petitions (Criminal), miscellaneous criminal cases, Bail Applications etc. (per case per day) | (a) Effective hearing – 14400/- (b) Non-effective hearing, subject to a maximum of five non-effective hearings in a case or bunch of cases – 2400/- |
| 2 | Application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in Writ Petitions (per case) | 4800/- |
| 3 | Settling pleadings (per case) | 4800/- |
| 4 | Drafting of pleadings, counter affidavits/returns/answer to writ petitions/grounds of appeal and application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, except in cases where fee on ad valorem basis has been prescribed (per pleading) | 2160/- |
| 5 | Drafting of civil miscellaneous applications to petitions under the Indian Succession Act, contempt of court proceedings and other proceedings of an original nature (per petition) | 1800/- |
| 6 | Original suits, civil appeals from decrees in suits and proceedings including second appeal and land acquisition appeal, except LPA from petitions under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution, i.e. ad valorem/regulation fee (lump sum fee per case including drafting fee) | As per the concerned High Court general rules/procedures |
| 7 | Miscellaneous Application | 4800/- |
| 8 | Conference fee (per conference) Subject to: (i) One conference for settling pleadings. (ii) in respect of hearing of writ matters, suits, appeals and Supreme Court leave applications etc., maximum three conferences | 1440/- |
| 9 | Entitlement for travel/hotel expenses for services availed outside Headquarters | Where a panel advocate is required to travel outside headquarters in the course of official duty, he/she shall be paid or reimbursed travelling, boarding and lodging expenses as per Level-12 of the 7th CPC of the Central Government. |
| 10 | Clerkage | @ 10% of total fee in a case |
| 11 | Fee in identical/connected cases- | |
| 11 (a) | If matter is contested | 1500/- in the main case and 150/- in each connected case |
| 11 (b) | If matter is disposed of without contest | 750/- in the main case and 75/- in each connected case |
| 11 (c) | Where substantially different affidavits are drafted in each connected case but all cases are disposed of without contest | 1/3rd fee in the main case and 150/- in each connected case |
| 11 (d) | Where the panel advocate has drafted the affidavit, petition or ground of appeal in the main case and has not drafted the same in the connected cases, or the drafts in the connected cases are substantially similar to the one in the main case, and the cases are disposed of without contest | 1/3rd fee in the main case and 75/- in each connected case |
| 12 | Out-of-pocket and miscellaneous expenses | As per actuals and subject to satisfaction of the concerned field offices |
| 13 | Written opinions and written advice including advice on evidence (inclusive of consultation) | 6000/- |
C. District & Subordinate Courts and District Consumer Forums
TABLE – C
| Sl. No. | Item of work | Revised fee (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fee for effective hearing (per case per day) | 2880/- |
| 2 | Fee for non-effective hearing (per case per day, subject to a maximum of five non-effective hearings in a case) | 960/- |
| 3 | Fee for drafting Written Statement, Grounds of Appeal, etc. (per pleading) | 2400/- |
| 4 | Fee for drafting other pleadings of miscellaneous nature (per pleading) | 960/- |
| 5 | Fee per conference (subject to a maximum of five conferences in a case or group of identical cases) | 1440/- |
| 6 | Daily fee out of Headquarters (per day) | 3600/- |
| 7 | Entitlement for travel/hotel expenses for services availed outside Headquarters | Where a panel advocate is required to travel outside headquarters in the course of official duty, he/she shall be paid or reimbursed travelling, boarding and lodging expenses as per Level-8 of the 7th CPC of the Central Government. |
| 8 | Clerkage: 10% of total fee excluding miscellaneous and out-of-pocket expenses | 8400/- |
| 9 | Fee in identical/connected cases | 1200/- |
| 10 | Out-of-pocket and miscellaneous expenses | As per actuals and subject to satisfaction of the concerned field offices |
