Lawyers continued their protest against the new fees at the Primary court in Tanta on Thursday. Photo : Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate
Local branches of the Egyptian Lawyers Syndicate organized the protests in response to recent decisions by the Council of Appeal Court heads to impose new fees on digitization services, a measure lawyers described as violating the constitution and the law.
The protests were carried out following the resolutions passed during a joint meeting between the General Syndicate Council and the heads of regional branches, led by Abdel-Halim Allam, the syndicate's head in Cairo.
The gathering aimed to form a united front to challenge the new fee structure imposed by judicial authorities.
Allam also chaired an operations room to monitor the nationwide implementation of the protest decisions.
He emphasized the importance of unity and commitment during this critical phase, stating that “the current stage demands cohesion and dedication to serve the nation, protect the dignity of the legal profession, and uphold the Bar’s stature.”
The lawyers' syndicate has vowed to continue escalating measures against what it deems illegal service fees introduced under the pretext of digital modernisation.
The syndicate shared images of protests across multiple governorates on its official Facebook page, including Ismailia, Suez, Mahalla, Port Said, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Dakahliya, Gharbia, Sohag, and Helwan.
Additional protests were organized outside courts in Sohag, Giza, Fayoum, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, Alexandria, Qalyoubiya, and New Cairo.
This strike is the third of its kind in protest against the increase in judicial fees.
On 14 April, Egyptian lawyers launched the first stage of their escalation campaign against the decision, holding a 30-minute protest outside courthouses nationwide.
On 18 May, lawyers organized another two-day nationwide general strike, boycotting hearings in all criminal courts nationwide.
In March, the Court of Appeal raised judicial fees for digitization services, sparking widespread anger among the legal community.
In response, the Lawyers Syndicate called on its members across all governorates to participate in protests as an initial step in a broader plan to oppose the new charges.
The protests highlight the legal community’s growing concerns over what they view as unjustified financial burdens on litigants and a potential barrier to accessing justice.
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