AFT amendment to bring down litigation cost

Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Amendment Rules,2011 have come into force as a result of which litigation has become more economical.

The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Amendment Rules,2011 have come into force as a result of which litigation has become more economical.

The application fee,which is Rs 250 at Chandigarh Bench of AFT,shall now be payable only in case of original application,review application,contempt application and application for restoration of petition (miscellaneous application). The fee will also remain applicable on transfer of case from one bench to another or from one court to another in the same bench.

However,the fee for filing any other kind of application will not be required,such as for replication,written statement and filing of application for verification or modification.

Another important amendment to AFT,is the requirement of affidavits. The new sub-rule reads,Every application under Rule 8 and the reply under Rule 12 shall be supported by an affidavit of the person verifying the application or reply as the case may be. This sub-rule shall be inserted after Rule 12 of principal rules.

Earlier,only verification by the person was in practice.

It is a good move and will bring down the total litigation cost for all litigants, said Major Navdeep Singh,President,AFT Bar Association,Chandigarh.

The AFTs nine benches provide a judicial forum for redressal of grievances for about 1.3 million armed forces personnel and another 1.2 million ex-servicemen. The constitution of the tribunals,as per Defence Ministry,has brought down the number of officers and jawans approaching the High Courts.

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