New Delhi — The Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) under the Ministry of Law and Justice has integrated its Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS) with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to automate the disbursal of fees to advocates.
The integration replaces paper-based approvals with a fully electronic workflow, enabling faster and more transparent processing of payments. Officials said the system is expected to reduce delays, minimise paperwork, and bring uniformity in fee payments across ministries and departments.
The Department stated that the enhanced e-Bill module now facilitates seamless digital transmission of bills generated in LIMBS to PFMS for verification, sanction and payment.
Once verified and digitally signed by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer, payments are released directly to the beneficiary’s bank account without physical file movement.
Each claim generates a Claim Reference Number (CRN), allowing administrative units to track progress in real time. The integration also strengthens digital record-keeping and reduces the possibility of manual errors.
Digital India in legal administration
The Central Agency Section (CAS) of the Department implemented the e-Bill module in February 2025 to manage payments for panel advocates through LIMBS.
The Department now plans to extend the platform to additional litigation units, including the Delhi High Court, and is developing a Retainer Fee Module for periodic payments to Law Officers.
According to officials, these measures aim to make the payment process more efficient, transparent and environmentally sustainable by reducing reliance on paper.
The DLA said the LIMBS–PFMS integration will help standardise payment processes across departments and promote consistent digital practices.
The initiative aligns with the government’s wider programmes under Ease of Doing Business and Digital India and supports the objectives of Special Campaign 5.0, which focuses on simplifying internal processes, improving service delivery and strengthening transparency through digital systems.
