Islamabad:
On Thursday, the Supreme Court officially 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, digitization and to provide procedural clarity in the judicial system in accordance with global governance of law.
Under article 191 of the Constitution, the new rules have replaced the “outdated provisions” and have brought legal proceedings in accordance with contemporary legal, constitutional and technological developments. According to a press release published Thursday by the SC, the rules entered immediately.
The new rules have been drawn up by a committee trained by the chief judge of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afrifi. The Committee included four judges SC – Judge Shahid Waheed, judge Irfan Saadat Khan, Judge Naeem Akhter Afghan and judge Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.
According to a press release published by the APEX Court, the committee was committed to the judges, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the Court of the Supreme Court (SCBA) and other bars associations. The final project was placed before the full court and approved after a detailed deliberation.
Following the promulgation of new rules, the SCBA published a declaration, declaring that the SC had not consulted the bars concerning the increase in legal costs. He demanded that the SC withdraw his decision to increase the costs, noting that such an increase in costs will not help to provide justice.
Later in the day, the SC issued a public opinion inviting a suggestion to improve the rules.
The opinion indicates that the new rules are designed as a living document that meets the needs of the bench, the bar, litigants and adaptable to emerging legal and technological developments.
He declared that in the spirit of transparency and inclusiveness, the CJP was a committee under rule 1 (4) of the ordinance I of the rules of the Supreme Court, 2025, to make recommendations to resolve any difficulty which could arise to give effect to its provisions.
Interestingly, the Committee includes the same four judges – Justice Waheed, judge Khan, the Afghan judge and the abbasi judge – who were part of the committee which developed the rules.
“The SC invites the suggestions and comments of the judges, the members of the bar, the litigants and the general public in this regard.
“Suggestions can be sent in writing to the SC registrar,” he added.
The new rules
The rules of the Supreme Court, 2025, consist of seven parts, thirty-eight prescriptions and six hours, with around 280 modified provisions, including 160 of the schedules. The rules include 60 new provisions while five obsolete provisions have been deleted.
New rules include digital transition and technological activation. From now on, all petitions and paper books must now be deposited electronically while scanned copies are also compulsory. Notices, orders, certified copies and pleadings will be issued digitally.
Audiences via the video link are now authorized. It makes the authentication of affidavits compulsory by an apostille. An apostilla is a certificate that simplifies the authentication of documents for international use, in particular for countries which are part of the Hague Convention, Apostille.
Parties and defenders are also necessary to provide updated phone numbers, email addresses and digital application details. From now on, court documents sent via La Poste will not be entertained.
It provides liter access to files and the parties can inspect the files or obtain copies online or in person. Urgent marked applications or requiring provisional compensation must be listed within 14 days or on the most feasible date.
The SC registrar is authorized to guarantee compliance with the formats prescribed in the sixth appendix.
Under new rules, court costs are revised after decades; Lawyer and official expenses are also updated. However, criminal petitions are exempt from costs – with the exception of certified copies.
Copies are free for petitions subject to prison while Habeas Corpus and article 184 (3) Petitions related to criminal affairs remain exempt from costs. The registrar can appoint defenders of state costs in cases of death sentence. Advice costs have also been improved.
Under the rules, intra-short calls were brought for orders under article 184, paragraph 3, and outrage procedures. A review request is authorized by judgment and can be filed in person or through another lawyer. Frivolous examinations can attract penalties and the security deposit has been increased.
A part can revoke a proxy and appoint a new defender of the record. The transfer requests under article 186A and article 25A of the Family Touts Act, 1964, are now recognized. Constitutional benches are formalized through a newly added chapter.
The rules also introduce arbitration and procedural guarantees.
The calls for interlocutory orders will be heard by a bench of at least two judges; All other calls, including those against acquittal, will be heard by no less than three judges.
The paper books will be delivered in advance to the Attorney General, the Defender General, the Attorney General and the respondents, with service certification. The registrar can remember the ex-parties on a sufficient cause.
Compromise in compound offenses is now officially adapted. In acquittal appels, the court may require a deposit or take coercive measures if a defendant avoids appearance. The invocation procedures for the files of the lower courts have been rationalized.
Under administrative and structural reforms, the registrar is empowered to supervise staff and exercise procedural powers in accordance with the rules. The registers of branches are kept in all provincial capitals; Deposits are authorized in Islamabad or in the relevant register.
Under the rules, all costs, costs, security deposits and allowances will be examined and revised every three years. Tests written for recording as a record defender have been abolished and defenders of five years of position can apply directly.
The new rules also highlight the driving of the courtroom. Defenders can wear a short sherwani or black coat; Port of dresses is now optional.
No concise statement is required in criminal calls. In civil matters, if the cost guarantee is not deposited within 30 days, the departure of the appeal was canceled, unless otherwise prescribed.
The respondents can request a summary rejection of frivolous or motivated calls late. Procedural failures must be treated as irregularities and will not cancel the procedure. Under 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 justice in a timely time and eliminate procedural rigidity.
“With inclusive provisions and simplified processes, the rules inaugurate a new era of legal efficiency and responsiveness in Pakistan. These rules have also been downloaded from the Supreme Court website for information from the general public,” the official press release said.
