For a suit to recover money, fees are generally calculated ad valorem, meaning as a proportion of the amount claimed, according to the schedule to the Court-fees Act 1870 as amended from time to time. The schedule has changed over the years, and the applicable rates and any ceiling must be checked against the current law at the date of filing. Interest and other sums included in the claim may also affect the calculation. We prepare a precise calculation for each claim, so that the plaint is filed with the correct fees and is not delayed.

A suit seeking only a declaration may attract a fixed fee, but where the plaintiff also seeks consequential relief, such as possession or cancellation of a deed, the valuation and fees may follow different rules. Injunction suits are also treated according to the statutory scheme, which in some cases allows the plaintiff to state a value. The interaction between reliefs is a frequent source of disputes. We draft the prayers carefully so that the reliefs sought, the valuation and the fees paid all match and can withstand challenge by the defendant. Careful drafting avoids a later dispute.

The court may identify the deficiency on its own or on the defendant's objection, and will usually direct the plaintiff to make good the deficit within a specified time. If the deficit is not paid, the plaint can be rejected. Rejection does not always end the claim, but it can create serious limitation problems if time has run in the meantime. Acting promptly on a deficit order is therefore essential. We review the order, advise whether the court's view of the valuation is correct, and either pay or contest it, depending on the facts.

Yes. The pecuniary jurisdiction of civil courts in Bangladesh depends on the value of the suit, so valuation determines whether the case is filed before an Assistant Judge, Senior Assistant Judge or Joint District Judge. That choice also determines the appellate forum. Overvaluing a claim to reach a particular court, or undervaluing it to reduce court fees, can lead to objections and delay. We value the suit according to the law and the evidence, and we explain how the chosen value shapes the procedure and appeal route from the start.

Property suits raise some of the most difficult valuation questions. Depending on the relief, the value may be linked to market value, to the value stated in a deed, or to a figure the plaintiff is allowed to state under the statutory rules. Suits for partition, possession, cancellation of deeds, pre-emption and specific performance each follow particular rules and case law. Supporting evidence, such as registered deed values and local market information, helps defend the valuation. We assess these issues with our property team before the plaint and fees are finalised. Evidence of value is often decisive in these disputes.

In some situations, yes. Bangladeshi law provides for refunds of fees in defined circumstances, including certain cases resolved through mediation in the civil courts. The availability and amount of a refund depend on the stage of the case and the statutory provision relied on. A refund can make early settlement more attractive, and it may be worth highlighting during negotiations. We check eligibility, prepare the application and follow it through the court office, so that clients recover what the law allows without unnecessary delay or administrative difficulty. We also explain the timing to clients.

Yes. Suits brought by banks and financial institutions in the Artha Rin Adalat operate under their own statute, and the fees payable there follow that framework rather than the general rules for ordinary money suits. Execution, appeals and other applications also carry specific costs. Borrowers and guarantors defending such suits should understand that some appeals and applications require deposits in addition to fees. We advise banks and borrowers on these costs at each stage, so that strategy is based on the real financial picture rather than assumptions. Deposits can be substantial, so plan ahead.

No separate scale applies simply because a claimant is foreign. The same Court-fees Act and valuation rules govern the claim. However, foreign claimants face practical costs that domestic parties may not, including notarisation and authentication of documents, powers of attorney, translations and, in some cases, an order for security for costs. Foreign-currency claims also raise questions about the conversion rate used for valuation. We prepare a complete budget for overseas clients, covering fees and the related formalities, before they decide to bring proceedings here. Exchange-rate evidence should be kept carefully. We also advise on timing.