An Overview of the Increase in Judicial Fees

The increase in judicial fees has created a delicate balance between enhancing the efficiency of the judicial system and securing financial resources for the state. This decision has yielded both positive and negative effects, which can be summarized as follows:

First, the Positive Effects: The increase in judicial fees has helped curb malicious lawsuits, while also preventing individuals from filing frivolous or retaliatory cases lacking a legal basis due to the associated financial costs. Furthermore, it has alleviated the burden on courts by reducing the influx of non-serious cases, thereby enabling judges to focus on major and complex disputes.

This has also accelerated the pace of case resolution and, combined with the overall decline in the number of lawsuits, has shortened lengthy waiting periods and facilitated quicker dispute resolution.

The increase in judicial fees has strengthened the state’s financial resources, bolstered the general budget, and provided direct revenue flows to the treasury. Additionally, the additional returns have been used to develop court infrastructure, prompting the Ministry of Justice to update digital systems, enhance judicial services, and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as settlement, arbitration, and amicable mediation.

Second, the Negative Effects: The decision to raise fees has drawbacks, primarily in that excessive increases conflict with established constitutional and Islamic principles that guarantee everyone’s right to access justice without financial barriers. The decision has acted as an obstacle for low-income individuals, the poor, and ordinary citizens from asserting their rights, as they are unable to afford the costs and expenses of litigation. This has undermined the principle of equality before the law and contributed to higher crime rates and vigilante justice, as those unable to pay legal fees may sometimes resort to illegal means—such as threats or violence—to recover their rights. Moreover, this decision has caused individuals to lose their financial or minor civil rights, as the fees imposed may exceed the value of the rights themselves.

In light of the aforementioned points and their clarification, the decision to raise judicial fees has both positive and negative aspects that warrant discussion, reconsideration, and regulation to ensure it serves the public interest and the well-being of individuals.

Ghazi Abdullah Habib Al-Shamari

College of Business Studies – Law Major