from www.nst.com.my
COMING SOON: Subject to changes to Subordinate Courts Act 1948
PUTRAJAYA: COURT fees, which saw a 100 per cent hike under the Rules of Court 2012 that came into effect on Aug 1, have reverted to the old rates.
Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria confirmed that the new fees had been put on hold, pending amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act 1948.
"For now, the old fees will be retained but this will change in the near future. I cannot give you an exact date as it is subject to the amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act 1948.
"The new fees will be in tandem with the expanded jurisdiction of the Sessions and magistrate's courts when the new amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act 1948 are enforced."
The Rules of Court 2012, which combine the 1980 High Court Rules and the 1980 Subordinate Courts Rules, are to facilitate and standardise civil cases' procedures in court. They place emphasis on simplicity, uniformity and address issues on technicalities.
The current court fees, which were fixed in 1991, range from RM2 to RM300, depending on the type of documents filed. "The court fees have not been revised in the last 11 years and we believe it is high time to do so," Arifin said.
Citing an example, he said the impending increase in cost to file a writ of summons to initiate action in a magistrate's court, would double from RM50 to RM100. Sealing an originating summons could see a hike from RM80 to RM160.
Arifin said the courts felt that the new rates were reasonable, although the quantum in percentage might sound huge.
"In fact, the amount is still relatively low. Once the amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act are enforced, the majority of Sessions and High Court cases will be presided by the subordinate courts.
"The new fees will also discourage people from filing unnecessary applications as these can be settled out of court."
Read more: New court fees put on hold - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/new-court-fees-put-on-hold-1.138135#ixzz25fSc6V1l
