The moment you file a case in Pakistan, whether a plaint, an appeal, a revision or a writ petition, the court expects a fee. That fee is not arbitrary. It flows from the Court Fees Act 1870, one of the oldest statutes still in daily use across our courts, as adapted by each province. Getting the fee right matters: pay too little and your plaint can be rejected; pay for the wrong category and your filing stalls at the reader's desk. This guide breaks down how court fees work, the difference between ad valorem and fixed fees, and a practical fee table by case type. For a precise figure on a money claim, use our court fee calculator.
The governing law: Court Fees Act 1870
Court fees in Pakistan are levied under the Court Fees Act 1870 (Act VII of 1870). Two provisions anchor the whole scheme. Section 4 bars a court of justice from receiving or filing any document chargeable with a fee unless that fee has been paid. Section 6 extends the same bar to documents filed in public offices. In short, an unpaid or underpaid document has no legal effect until the deficiency is cured.
The Act carries two schedules. Schedule I lists ad valorem fees - those calculated on the value of the subject matter. Schedule II lists fixed fees - flat rupee amounts for specified documents. Because civil administration of justice is a provincial subject, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have each amended the 1870 Act. The framework is common, but the exact rates, ceilings and fixed amounts differ from one province to the next.
Ad valorem versus fixed fees
Understanding which of the two categories your case falls into is the key skill. It decides whether your fee is a percentage or a flat amount.
| Feature | Ad valorem fee (Schedule I) | Fixed fee (Schedule II) |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Percentage of the value of the claim | Flat rupee amount |
| Rises with claim? | Yes - larger claim, larger fee | No - same regardless of value |
| Typical use | Recovery of money, suits for property, damages | Injunctions, declarations, many petitions and applications |
| Ceiling | Subject to a statutory maximum (varies by province) | Not applicable - already a set figure |
| Where valued | Section 7 governs how the suit is valued | Amount stated in Schedule II |
Section 7 of the Act sets out how a suit is valued for fee purposes - for a money suit it is the amount claimed; for possession of land it is tied to the land's value or a multiple of the revenue assessment. Deliberate undervaluation to save on fees is a recognised ground for objection and can be corrected by the court.
Court fee by case type
The table below shows the fee basis for common proceedings. Because provinces amend the schedules and revise fixed amounts periodically, we give the category rather than a single fixed rupee figure - confirm the current amount for your province before filing.
| Case / document type | Fee basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery / money suit | Ad valorem | Percentage of the sum claimed, up to the provincial cap |
| Suit for possession of property | Ad valorem | Valued under Section 7 by property value / revenue multiple |
| Suit for damages / compensation | Ad valorem | Based on the amount of damages claimed |
| Declaratory suit (no consequential relief) | Fixed | Flat fee; ad valorem if consequential relief is sought |
| Suit for injunction / stay | Fixed | Flat fee under Schedule II |
| Probate / succession certificate | Ad valorem | Percentage of the value of the estate / assets |
| Civil appeal | Ad valorem | Assessed on the value of the subject matter in appeal |
| Revision / review petition | Fixed | Flat fee under the schedule |
| Writ petition (Article 199) | Fixed | Flat fee set by the relevant High Court |
| Miscellaneous application | Fixed | Small flat fee |
Important: Exact rupee amounts and ad valorem percentages differ across Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan, and are revised from time to time. For any money claim, our court fee calculator gives a working estimate; for a binding figure on a large or contested valuation, take a short consultation before you file.
How court fees are paid
Traditionally, court fee is paid by affixing court-fee stamps - purchased from the treasury or stamp vendor - to the plaint, memorandum of appeal or petition. The stamped document is then presented for filing. Increasingly, the provincial high courts have moved to bank challan and e-payment systems, where the fee is deposited through a designated bank and the receipt attached to the filing. Whichever method applies in your court, the principle from Section 4 holds: the document is not acted upon until the fee is on record.
Deficient or wrong court fee
Paying less than the proper fee is a common and fixable error. Where a plaint is undervalued or insufficiently stamped, the court does not usually throw it out at once. Under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908, the court may fix a time within which the plaintiff must make good the deficiency. Only if the plaintiff fails to pay within that time can the plaint be rejected - and even then it may be refiled, subject to limitation. This is one more reason to watch your deadlines: read our guide to limitation periods in Pakistan so a fee dispute does not cost you the whole claim.
Who ultimately bears the cost?
The plaintiff pays the court fee up front, but it forms part of the costs of the suit. When a court passes a decree, it ordinarily awards costs to the successful party, so a plaintiff who wins can recover the court fee from the defendant as part of the decree. Costs remain in the court's discretion, so this is a general rule rather than a guarantee. Understanding the full journey of a case - and where fees fall - is easier with our overview of civil suit procedure from plaint to decree.
Frequently asked questions
What law governs court fees in Pakistan?
The Court Fees Act 1870, together with each province's amendments. It provides ad valorem fees in Schedule I and fixed fees in Schedule II.
What is the difference between ad valorem and fixed fees?
Ad valorem fees are a percentage of the value of the claim and rise with the amount sued for. Fixed fees are a flat amount set for particular documents, regardless of value.
How is court fee worked out on a recovery suit?
A recovery suit pays ad valorem fee on the sum claimed, subject to any statutory ceiling in the relevant province. Try our court fee calculator for an estimate.
Do the amounts vary by province?
Yes. Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan have each amended the Act, so rates, caps and fixed amounts differ. Confirm the schedule for your filing province.
What if I pay too little court fee?
The court can set a time to make good the deficiency. If you do not, the plaint may be rejected under the CPC, though it can often be refiled subject to limitation.
Can I recover the court fee if I win?
Court fee forms part of the costs of the suit, which a court usually awards to the winning party - but costs remain discretionary.