Centre notifies new rules for court-fee and stamp violations in union territories
The Ministry of Law and Justice notified the Union Territories Court Fees (Adjudication of Penalties and Appeal) Rules, 2026 on 16 October 2026. The Rules were issued under Section 34(1) of the Court-fees Act, 1870 and came into force the same day.
The new Rules create a civil and administrative penalty framework for minor, non-fraudulent violations of court-fee and stamp-sale rules, replacing criminal sanctions for such contraventions. They also set out standard forms for complaints, show-cause notices and appeals, and lay down timelines for adjudication and appellate proceedings to make the process quicker and reduce delays.
The Rules give effect to Sections 34-A and 34-B of the Court-fees Act, 1870, which were inserted by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Revenue officers, licensed stamp vendors and members of the public can report alleged violations of court-fee and stamp-sale requirements to designated adjudicating officers.
For specified non-fraudulent violations of stamp-sale requirements, the Rules provide for financial penalties of up to ₹10,000. A formal show-cause notice and a reasonable opportunity of hearing for the alleged violator are mandatory.
A person aggrieved by an order can appeal to the designated appellate authority in Form III within 30 days of receiving the order. Delay may be condoned for sufficient cause. The authority may confirm, modify or set aside the order, send the matter back for fresh consideration, or reduce, enhance or annul the penalty, within the statutory limits. The appeal is to be decided within 60 days from the date of filing.
Every order passed by the appellate authority under the Rules is final and conclusive.
Source: SCC Times