The Supreme Court of Pakistan has implemented the rules of the Supreme Court 2025, aimed at modernizing legal proceedings, adopting digital technology and improving access to justice.
According to an official press release, the new rules have been designed to meet the modern requirements of the judiciary.
A committee including judge Shahid Waheed, judge Irfan Saadat, judge Naeem Akhtar Afghan and judge Aqeel Abbasi prepared the rules.
The Committee consulted the judges of the Supreme Court, Pakistan Bar Council, the Supreme Court Bar Association and other bars associations. His proposals were presented in the full court, which approved the rules 2025 after the deliberation.
Read: SC revises legal proceedings
Key factory facts of the SC 2025 rules
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has officially implemented the 2025 rules replacement of the rules in place since 1980.
Under article 191 of the Constitution, the new rules have immediately entered into approval by the full court.
They were drafted by a committee comprising the judges Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat Khan, Naeem Akhter Afghan and Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, after consultations with judges, bars and legal associations.
The rules of 2025 introduce the electronic deposit of petitions and paper books, digital publication of reviews and orders, video liaison and online access hearings to case records.
They also revise legal costs, strengthen legal aid provisions, extend deadlines for calls and exams and formalize constitutional benches.
The other modifications include rationalized procedures to convene lower judicial files, the provisions for intra-cut calls under article 184, paragraph 3, sanctions for frivolous disputes and the greatest powers for the registrar. Defenders can now choose between a Sherwani or a short black coat, with optional dresses.
The Court has described reforms as a “transformative vision” to do justice timely, reduce procedural rigidity and integrate modern legal practices.
The full text of the rules is available on the Supreme Court website.
SCBAP denies consultation on the rise in legal costs
On Thursday, the association of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCBAP) rejected on Thursday the allegations of the Supreme Court on Thursday that it was consulted during the introduction of the rules of the Supreme Court 2025, in particular concerning a substantial increase in judicial fees.
In a press release, the SCBAP said that no discussion or meetings had been held with its representatives on the scheduled expense calendar and called on the authorities to disclose the minutes of any meeting showing its participation.
The association also declared that he was not aware of any committee trained by the Supreme Court to resolve the potential problems resulting from the increase in costs.
“The radical increase in legal costs will not contribute to affordable and rapid access to justice,” said the SCBAP, warning that the decision has undermined the improperly expensive principle of justice under article 37 d), has created obstacles for lawyers and litigants, and weakened public confidence in the judiciary.
The SCBAP reaffirmed its support for the legal community and the public to oppose the hike, calling for its immediate withdrawal.
