In Re. Chidambaram Chettiar v.

In Re. Chidambaram Chettiar v.

(High Court Of Judicature At Madras)

Appeal No. 68 Of 1933 | 03-04-1934

This appeal is withdrawn and is therefore dismissed. The appellant has filed an application for amendment of the decree which was allowed. The opposite party filed a revision petition in this Court. For fear that the amendment will be disallowed the appellant filed this appeal. Now that the revision petition is dismissed, the appellant is willing to withdraw the appeal.

In these circumstances, appellant asks for a refund of Court-fee. He admits there is no section of the Court-fees Act which he can rely on. He relies on O. T. A. M. Chettyar Firm v. Ko Yin Gyi and another (7 Rang. 88); Mohammad Sadiq Ali Khan Nawab Mirra v. Saiyid Ali Abbas (7 Luck. 588), and J. C. Galstaun v. Raja Janaki Nath Roy (38 C.W.N. 185).

In our opinion, the Court can order a refund (1) where the Court-Fees Act applies (2) where there is an excess payment by a mistake or (3) where, on account of the mistake of a Court a party has been compelled to pay Court-fees, either wholly or in part. Outside these cases we are not satisfied that we have authority to direct a refund. Once a case like 38 C.W.N. 185 is recognised, we ought to permit refund in all cases where appeals are dismissed on the ground of limitation. We are not prepared to go so far. The fact that the delay in 38 C. W. N. is due to the fault of the legal adviser has no bearing on the right of the Crown to the Court-fee paid. We cannot direct a refund of the Court-fees.

Advocate List
Bench
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SIR RAMESAM, KT.
  • HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE CURGENVEN
Eq Citations
  • (1934) ILR 57 MAD 1028
  • 1934 MWN 678
  • AIR 1934 MAD 566
  • LQ/MadHC/1934/120
Head Note

Practice And Procedure — Refund of Court-fee — When permissible — Instances — Dismissal of appeal on ground of limitation — Legal adviser's fault — No ground for refund — Court-fee Act, 1870, Ss. 3 and 4