New Supreme Court Rules 2025 aim to boost transparency, efficiency in judicial system
ISLAMABAD:
In a landmark move, the Supreme Court has scrapped its decades-old procedural framework, replacing the Supreme Court Rules 1980 with a fresh set of guidelines titled the Supreme Court Rules 2025. The overhaul the first in 45 years came into effect on August 6.
The initiative, aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and overall effectiveness in court proceedings, was spearheaded by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi. A special committee, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and including Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was tasked with drafting the new rules. In the process, input was sought from judges, the SC registry, as well as bar councils and associations.
The court has clarified that cases already in progress under the old rules whether applications, petitions, appeals, references, or reviews will continue under the previous framework until their conclusion. However, the Chief Justice retains the authority, upon a committee’s recommendation, to issue orders to address any difficulties arising from the new rules, provided they remain consistent with the updated provisions.
One of the most notable changes is the extension of time limits. Criminal appeals, criminal petitions for leave to appeal, and direct civil appeals can now be filed within 60 days, up from the previous 30-day limit. Appeals against registrar office objections must be lodged within 14 days, while review petitions against SC judgments must be submitted within 30 days of the verdict.
The updated guidelines require applicants seeking a review to notify the opposing party immediately and provide the registry with a copy of the notice. Each review petition must include a certified copy of the judgment or order being challenged, and if based on newly discovered evidence, certified documents and an affidavit explaining the discovery must be attached. Lawyers must clearly outline the points of review and submit a certificate confirming that the request meets the court’s legal standards backed by a reasoned opinion.
The rules also introduce stricter cost provisions. The minimum cost for proceedings will be Rs25,000, with discretion left to the court to increase the amount. Interveners will generally not be awarded costs unless specifically ordered. In cases where a hearing is delayed due to an advocate-on-record’s negligence — such as failure to appear or submit required documents — the court may direct that advocate to personally pay the costs. Similarly, adjournments without sufficient cause or filing frivolous or malicious cases could result in compensatory costs for the responsible party or lawyer. Jail petitions, however, remain exempt from court fees.
On constitutional matters, the new rules stipulate that any petition, appeal, or review falling under the court’s original jurisdiction (Article 184), certain appellate jurisdiction cases (Article 185(3)), or advisory jurisdiction (Article 186) will be heard by a constitutional bench under Article 191A. Such benches will consist of at least five judges nominated by the committee. If a bench is equally divided in opinion, the matter may be referred to another judge or to a larger bench.
The sweeping changes mark a significant shift in the Supreme Court’s operational landscape a move many legal experts believe could modernise Pakistan’s highest court for decades to come.
