Islamabad:
On Thursday, the Supreme Court formally published the rules of the Supreme Court, 2025, replacing the rules of the Supreme Court, 1980 in what the Court described as its commitment to modernization, digitalization and providing procedural clarity in the online justice system with the global governance of the law.
Framed under article 191 of the Constitution, the new rules replaced the “outdated provisions” and put judicial procedures with contemporary legal, constitutional and technological developments. According to a press release issued by the SC on Thursday, the rules came in an immediate effect.
The new rules were framed by a committee formed by the president of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afrifi. The Committee was composed of four SC judges: Judge Shahid Waheed, Judge Irfan Saadat Khan, Judge Naeem Akhter Afghan and Judge Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.
According to a press release issued by the Apex Court, the Committee was dedicated to the judges, to the Pakistan Bar Association (PBC), to the Bar Association of the Supreme Court (SCBA) and other lawyer associations. The final draft was placed before the full court and was approved after detailed deliberation.
After the promulgation of the new rules, the SCBA issued a statement, stating that the SC did not consulted with the bars regarding the increase in judicial fees. He demanded that the SC withdraw its decision to increase rates, noting that such increase in rates will not help in the dispensation of justice.
Later in the day, the SC issued a public notice inviting suggestions to improve the rules.
The notice said that the new rules are conceived as a living document that responds to the needs of the bank, the bar, the litigants and adaptable to emerging legal and technological developments.
He said that in the spirit of transparency and inclusion, the CJP has constituted a committee under rule 1 (4) of Order I of the rules of the Supreme Court, 2025, to make recommendations to address any difficulty that may arise when taking effect to its provisions.
Interestingly, the committee includes the same four judges: Justice Waheed, Justice Khan, Justice Afghan and Justice Abbasi, who were part of the committee that framed the rules.
“The SC invites suggestions and comments of the judges, members of the Bar Association, litigants and the general public in this regard. The presentations will be compiled and reviewed by the Committee and presented before the complete court for consideration at the beginning of the new judicial year.
“You can send written suggestions to the SC registrar,” he added.
The new rules
The rules of the Supreme Court, 2025 consist of seven parts, thirty -eight orders and six schedules, with approximately 280 amended provisions, including 160 of the schedules. The rules include 60 new provisions, while five obsolete provisions have been deleted.
The new rules include digital transition and technological qualification. Now all requests and paper books must now be filed electronically, while scanned copies are also mandatory. Notices, orders, certified copies and allegations will be issued digitally.
Hearings are now allowed through the video link. Makes the authentication of affidavits for a mandatory apostille. A Apostille is a certificate that simplifies the authentication of documents for international use, particularly for countries that are part of the Apostille Hague Convention.
Parts and defenders must also provide updated telephone numbers, email addresses and digital application details. Now the judicial documents sent by publication will not be interwoven.
Provides litigating access to records and the parties can inspect records or obtain copies online or in person. Applications marked with urgent or applicant relief must be listed within 14 days or on the earliest practical date.
The SC registrar is authorized to guarantee compliance with the formats prescribed in the sixth schedule.
According to the new rules, judicial fees are reviewed after decades; The lawyer and official expenses are also updated. However, criminal requests are exempt from rates, with the exception of certified copies.
The copies are free for the requests presented from the jail, while the habeas corpus and article 184 (3) The requests related to criminal matters remain exempt from the fees. The registrar may appoint the defenders at the state expense in cases of death sentence. Lawyers have also improved lawyers.
According to the rules, Intra-Court appeals have been introduced for orders under article 184 (3) and contempt procedures. A request for trial review is allowed and can be presented in person or through an alternative lawyer. Frivole reviews can attract sanctions and the security deposit has increased.
A part can revoke a notarial power and appoint a new defender in the registry. Transfer requests under article 186a and section 25 of the Family Courts Law of 1964 are now recognized. Constitutional banks are formalized through a recently added chapter.
The rules also introduce award and procedure safeguards.
The appeals of the interlocutory orders will be heard by a bank of at least two judges; All other appeals, including acquittal, will be heard by not less than three judges.
The paper books will be delivered in advance to the attorney general, general lawyer, attorney general and defendants, with the service certification. The registrar can remember the orders ex part of a sufficient cause.
The commitment in compound crimes is now formally accommodated. In acquittal appeals, the Court may require guarantee or take coercive measures if a defendant avoids appearance. Procedures have been simplified to convene records of the lower courts.
According to administrative and structural reforms, the registrar is empowered to supervise the staff and exercise procedural powers assigned under the rules. Branch records are preserved in all provincial capitals; Presentations are allowed in Islamabad or in the corresponding registry.
According to the rules, all rates, costs, security deposits and assignments will be reviewed and reviewed every three years. Written evidence for registration as a lawyer in the registry has been abolished and five -year -old defenders can be applied directly.
The new rules also highlight the behavior of the court. Defenders can use a Sherwani or a short black coat; Wearing dresses is now optional.
A concise statement in criminal appeals is not required. In civil matters, if safety for costs is not deposited within 30 days, the license to the appeal positions was terminated unless otherwise ordered.
Respondents can seek the summary dismissal of frivolous or motivated appeals. Procedural failures will be treated as irregularities and will not cancel the procedures. According to the new rules, the inherent powers of the court to ensure that justice is not affected.
“The rules of the Supreme Court, 2025, reflect a transformative vision: integrate digital tools, promote timely justice and eliminate procedural rigidity.
“With inclusive provisions and simplified processes, the rules begin a new era of judicial efficiency and response capacity in Pakistan. These rules have also been charged on the Supreme Court website for the general public information,” said the official press release.
