(1)Where a party has, before the first hearing of a proceeding, engaged more than one pleader, the fees of two pleaders may be taxed in the bill of costs in the following cases:-(a)in any original suit, of which the amount or value of the subject-matter exceeds [Rs. 10,000] [These figures were substituted for the figures '5,000' by Bombay 33 of 1954, Section 2(1).], in any court subordinate to the High Court;(b)in any contested proceeding under the [Indian Succession, Act, 1865] [See now the Indian Succession Act, 1925.], the [Probate and Administration Act, 1881] [See now the Indian Succession Act, 1925.], or the [Land Acquisition Act, 1894] [Central Acts.] of which the amount or value of the subject matter exceeds [Rs. 10,000] [These figures were substituted for the figures '5,000' by Bombay 33 of 1954, Section 2(1).], in any court subordinate to the High Court.(c)in any appeal to the High Court, from a decree deciding on the merits any suit or any contested proceeding of the kind referred to in clause (a) or clause (b);(d)in any suit of which the amount or value of the subject-matter [is Rs. 10,000 or less] [These words were substituted for the original by Bombay 33 of 1954, Section 2(2).] where the court certifies by order in writing that the fees of two pleaders may be taxed:Provided that nothing in this section shall affect suits or appeals by paupers, or suits or appeals governed by the Dekkhan Agriculturists Relief Act, 1879.
