Latest news with #SupremeCourtRules2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SC replaces 1980 Rules with new 2025
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has implemented the Supreme Court Rules 2025, aimed at modernising judicial procedures, embracing digital technology, and enhancing access to justice. According to an official statement, the new rules have been framed to meet the modern-day requirements of the judiciary. A committee comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Abbasi prepared the rules. The committee consulted Supreme Court judges, the Pakistan Bar Council, the Supreme Court Bar Association, and other bar associations. Its proposals were presented to the full court, which approved the Rules 2025 after deliberation. Read: SC revises court procedures Key highlights of SC rules 2025 The Supreme Court of Pakistan has formally implemented the Rules 2025 replacing rules in place since 1980. Framed under Article 191 of the Constitution, the new rules came into immediate effect following approval by the full court. They were drafted by a committee comprising Justices Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat Khan, Naeem Akhter Afghan, and Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, after consultations with judges, bar councils, and legal associations. The 2025 Rules introduce electronic filing of petitions and paper books, digital issuance of notices and orders, video-link hearings, and online access to case records. They also revise court fees, enhance legal aid provisions, extend time limits for appeals and reviews, and formalise constitutional benches. Other changes include streamlined procedures for summoning lower court records, provisions for intra-court appeals under Article 184(3), penalties for frivolous litigation, and greater powers for the registrar. Advocates may now choose between a sherwani or a short black coat, with gowns made optional. The court described the reforms as a 'transformative vision' to deliver timely justice, reduce procedural rigidity, and integrate modern legal practices. The full text of the rules is available on the Supreme Court's website. SCBAP denies consultation over court fee hike The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) on Thursday denied claims by the Supreme Court that it had been consulted on the introduction of the Supreme Court Rules 2025, specifically regarding a substantial increase in court fees. In a statement, the SCBAP said no discussions or meetings were held with its representatives on the revised fee schedule and called on the authorities to release the minutes of any meeting showing its participation. The association also said it was unaware of any committee formed by the Supreme Court to address potential issues arising from the fee hike. 'The drastic increase in court fees will not contribute to affordable and swift access to justice,' the SCBAP said, warning that the move undermined the principle of inexpensive justice under Article 37(d) of the Constitution, created hurdles for lawyers and litigants, and weakened public trust in the judiciary. The SCBAP reaffirmed its support for the legal community and public in opposing the hike, calling for its immediate withdrawal.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SC revises court procedures
After a gap of 45 years, the Supreme Court has issued new procedural rules titled Supreme Court Rules 2025, formally repealing the Supreme Court Rules 1980. Aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency and overall effectiveness in judicial proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has constituted a committee, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, to draft the new rules. The committee sought proposals from judges, the SC office, as well as bar councils and associations. The new rules are being applied with effect from August 6. It has been clarified that any proceedings already pending under the revoked rules – whether by way of application, petition, appeal, reference or review – shall continue and be disposed of as if the new rules had not been made. "If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions of these Rules, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, on the recommendations of a committee to be constituted by him, may make such order, not inconsistent with the provisions of these Rules, as may appear to him to be necessary for the purpose of removing such difficulty." Under the new rules, the time limit for filing criminal appeals, criminal petitions for leave to appeal and direct civil appeals has been extended from 30 days to 60 days. Appeals against registrar office objections must be filed within 14 days, while review petitions against SC judgments must be filed within 30 days. "Application for review shall be filed in the Registry within thirty days after the pronouncement of the judgement or order, as the case may be, which is sought to be reviewed," the draft states. Applicants are required to notify the opposing party immediately after filing the review application and send a copy of the notice to the Registry. Every review application must be accompanied by a certified copy of the judgment or order being challenged. If it is based on newly discovered evidence, certified copies of relevant documents must be attached along with an affidavit explaining the circumstances of the discovery. The advocate or party signing the application must briefly specify the points on which the review is sought and provide a certificate confirming that a review is justifiable in accordance with the law and practice of the court. The certificate must be in the form of a reasoned opinion. The new rules state that costs for proceedings will be at the court's discretion, but not less than Rs25,000. Interveners will not be entitled to costs unless otherwise ordered. If the hearing of a case is delayed due to an advocate-on-record's neglect, such as failing to attend or provide necessary documents, the court may direct that advocate to personally bear the costs. Where adjournments are sought without sufficient cause, compensatory costs may be imposed on the advocate or party. The same applies to those filing false or vexatious proceedings that waste the court's time. No court fee will be charged for jail petitions. Regarding constitutional matters, the rules provide that any petition, appeal, or review involving the original jurisdiction of the court under Article 184, the appellate jurisdiction under clause (3) of Article 185 (where a High Court judgment involves the constitutionality of a law or a substantial constitutional question), or the advisory jurisdiction under Article 186 shall be heard by a constitutional bench constituted under Article 191A of the Constitution. Such a bench will consist of no fewer than five judges, nominated by the committee. If the judges hearing a matter are equally divided in opinion, the committee may refer it either to another judge or to a larger bench.
