Egyptians are no strangers to rising costs, but this time, the increase is hitting the courtroom. A new decision by the Council of Appeals Court Presidents introduced additional fees under the label digital services charges, and the legal community isn’t staying silent.
Lawyers across Egypt say the change doesn’t just affect their bottom line—it threatens the public’s ability to access justice. From Alexandria to Aswan, protests are now unfolding outside courthouses, signaling a rare moment of nationwide unity among legal professionals concerned about fairness in the judicial process.
New Court Fees Cover 33 Services, Including Filing Lawsuits and Requesting Certified Copies
The issue began when the head of the Cairo Court of Appeals introduced new fees for 33 different court services. These include:
- Filing lawsuits
- Submitting appeals
- Renewing suspended cases
- Requesting certified copies of rulings or expert reports
Lawyers argue these aren’t just service fees—they’re mandatory charges applied upfront, without which cases can’t proceed. Critics also say the decision lacks legal basis, citing past court rulings that overturned similar fee increases.
Though labeled as digital services, the charges apply broadly and, according to legal experts, risk turning basic court procedures into costly hurdles for everyday litigants.
Lawyers Argue the New Fees Violate Constitutional Rights and Create Financial Barriers
Lawyers say the issue goes deeper than cost. The Egyptian Bar Association argues the decision was made without proper legal authorization and directly contradicts constitutional guarantees around the right to litigation.
They warn that for low-income Egyptians, justice is becoming a luxury. Some legal professionals have begun adapting to the situation, submitting evidence via CDs or flash drives instead of paper, to cut down on per-page fees. These makeshift solutions underscore the pressure legal practitioners are facing.
Bar Association Organizes Nationwide Protests and Plans Further Action Against New Fees
In response, the Bar Association didn’t stop at public statements. After an urgent joint meeting between its general council and regional leaders, the syndicate called for a coordinated protest on Sunday, April 13.
Lawyers gathered outside primary courts across all governorates, standing in silent defiance of the new fees. This protest marks the start of a broader strategy. The Bar Association has already floated the idea of halting cooperation with court payment departments—a move that could paralyze the system.
What began as discontent is now transforming into a campaign, with the legal community aiming to challenge the decision through legal, political, and public pressure.
Legal Paths and Political Pressure
Several possible scenarios are now in play. The Bar Association is negotiating directly with the Ministry of Justice and exploring legal action through administrative courts, arguing the new fees violate both the law and the Constitution.
Some are calling for a sovereign intervention—asking the state to cover part of the digital service fees to ease the burden. While no resolution has been reached yet, the issue isn’t fading.
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