DHAKA: The government reduced court fees to some extent following protests by leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association, now dominated by opposition BNP faithful.

“A government notification has been issued to this effect,” said Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed in a press briefing at his ministry on Thursday afternoon.

Shafique said the government re-fixed the court fees, which will be effective from September 1 under the Court Fee (Amendment) Act, 2010, for the sake of poor appellants.

The court fees have been lowered from 15 percent to 2.5 percent regarding money suit and 10 percent to 2 percent in land-related cases, he added.

The minister also said the government also cut down court fee for appeal to the officials of customs or exercise department or magistrate to Tk 20 from Tk 200.

“Lawyers took their position against the increased court fees though those were not hiked a lot,” he added.

Supreme Court lawyers had threatened to go for a stern countrywide movement if the decision to increase court fees was not cancelled.

Earlier on Tuesday, the SCBA leadership warned, “Programme of a strong movement will be declared after consulting other bar associations if the extended fees were not withdrawn by September 27.”

BDST: 1940 HRS, SEPT 23, 2010