Lawyers protest against judicial fees hike Thursday - Courts & Law

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

Egyptian Lawyers staged protests coordinated by regional bar associations Thursday, in front of all primary courts nationwide, in a continued to oppose recent increases in judicial fees, according to a Lawyers Syndicate's statement.
Local branches of the Bar Association organized the protests in response to recent decisions by the Council of Appeal Court heads to impose new fees on digitization services, a measure lawyers described as violating the constitution and the law.
The protests came in execution of the resolutions passed during a joint meeting between the General Syndicate Council and heads of regional bar branches, led by the head of the Lawyers Syndicate in Cairo, Abdel-Halim Allam.
The gathering aimed to form a united front to challenge the new fee structure imposed by judicial authorities.
Allam also chaired an operations room to monitor the nationwide implementation of the protest decisions.
He emphasized the importance of unity and commitment during this critical phase, stating that 'the current stage demands cohesion and dedication to serve the nation, protect the dignity of the legal profession, and uphold the Bar's stature.'
The lawyers' syndicate has vowed to continue escalating measures against what it deems illegal service fees introduced under the pretext of digital modernisation.
The syndicate shared images of protests across multiple governorates on its official Facebook page, including Ismailia, Suez, Mahalla, Port Said, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Dakahliya, Gharbia, Sohag, and Helwan.
Additional protests were organized outside courts in Sohag, Giza, Fayoum, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, Alexandria, Qalyoubiya, and New Cairo.
This strike is the third of its kind to protest against the increase in judicial fees.
On 14 April, Egyptian lawyers launched the first stage of their escalation campaign against the decision, holding a 30-minute protest outside courthouses nationwide.
On 18 May, lawyers organized another two-day nationwide general strike, boycotting hearings in all criminal courts nationwide.
In March, the Council of Appeal Court raised judicial fees on digitization services, sparking widespread anger from the legal community.
In response, the Lawyers Syndicate called on its members across all governorates to participate in protests as an initial step in a broader plan to oppose the new charges.
The protests highlight the legal community's growing concerns over what they view as unjustified financial burdens on litigants and a potential barrier to accessing justice.
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