Chief Justice Martha Koome has revised court fees assessement to address challenges the Judiciary is facing.
This comes a few months after the National Treasury cut Judiciary’s budget from Sh18.1 billion to Sh17.9 billion in the last financial year.
Led by Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi, the speakers called for the executive to increase money allocated to the third arm of the government, saying their operations had been greatly affected.
“As an institution that generates Sh3 billion annually this revenue can be an important first step in addressing some of the challenges we currently face,” the Chief Justice said in her speech.
Koome called for the operationalization of the Judiciary Fund which she said would help in addressing some of the budgetary gaps.
The court fees is scheduled to apply to filing of the respective documents in the relevant proceedings before specified courts and tribunals.
Filing of any type of application at the High Court, except on criminal matters, will now cost Sh1,500 up from Sh750.
The fees for applications and affidavits at the magistrate’s court has been retained at Sh1000.
For criminal cases in the magistrate’s courts, one will part with Sh1,000 for hearing after the first hearing for each day.
Applications under certificate of urgency at the Environment and Land court will cost Sh2,250.
Security for costs in an election petition at the High Court will cost Sh500,000.
On commercial and tax cases filed at the High Court, Sh1,500 for any appeal or review from subordinate courts and tribunals.
The CJ also introduced Sh2,000 fee for unliquidated claim originating summons or counterclaim.
Additionally, the new charges states death certificates will now cost Sh2,000.
All children matters in the magistrate courts attract no charges.
Further, an informal divorce at the Kadhi’s court is Sh500.
In the new report, court library membership and the annual subscription will now cost Sh1,000.
The cost of filing a mediation agreement reached out of court is now Sh1,000.
According to the CJ, court fees will be paid based on the amount awarded upon determination of the case.
The new schedule came into effect on September 1.
