Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2023 was introduced on September 25, 2023, amending certain provisions of Federal Law No. 13 of 2016 regarding Judicial Fees of Federal Courts. The effective date of this decree will be sixty days from its publication. The new decree introduces changes to the calculation of judicial fees in federal courts by introducing separate fees for interlocutory applications and applications from litigants seeking to intervene in proceedings.

According to the decree, court fees must be paid in full before registering any lawsuit, appeal, or application, except in cases where exemption or postponement of fees is allowed by applicable laws and applications. The decree outlines the process for estimating fees in lawsuits requiring such estimation, including those related to real estate or movable property ownership, trade contracts, contract validity, annulment or cancellation, rental disputes, and requests for revenues, profits, and interests. Fees for these lawsuits vary at federal courts based on the nature of each case.

In criminal lawsuits, the decree establishes a fixed fee for actions filed with federal courts, determined according to the court’s description of the lawsuit’s resolution. Additionally, the decree provides guidelines for full or partial refund of court fees in specific cases, along with the process for requesting the postponement of fee payments under certain controls and conditions. It also outlines the criteria for exemptions from court fees, especially in cases where the insolvency of the obligated party is proven. The decree states limited instances where judicial fees are automatically exempted by law.

To learn more about Galadari’s Litigation Practice, please contact Ahmed Kamel Attia.

Ahmed Kamel Attia Associate E:ahmed.kamel@galadarilaw.com