Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. Where is the Supreme Court of Pakistan located?

The Supreme Court comprises of Principal Seat and 4 Branch Registries, can be approached at the following address:

S # AddressContact No.
1.Principal Seat

Islamabad

Constitution Avenue, Islamabad+ 92 51 92 205 81
2.Branch Registry

Lahore

Nabba Road Near G.P.O., Lahore+92 42 99 212 401
3.Branch Registry

Karachi

M.R. Kayani Road, Opposite Shaheen Complex, Karachi+92 21 99 212 306
4.Branch Registry

Peshawar

Khyber Road, Opt. P.C. Hotel Peshawar+92 91 92 136 01
5.Branch Registry

Quetta

Balochistan High Court Building Quetta+92 81 92 013 68
 Q.2. What are the facilities and services available in the Supreme Court premises?

Following facilities are available in the premises of Principal Seat Islamabad.

(i) Post Office                    (ii) Bank ATM           (iii) Photocopy & Binding

(iv) Law Books Shop           (v) Cafeteria            (vi) Stamp Vendor

Q.3. Is any Document required in order to enter the premises of this Court?

(i) Original CNIC     (ii) Notice regarding fixation of case (if issued by this Court)

Q.4. What are the Supreme Court’s office hours?

Monday to Saturday (except Friday): 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Friday: 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.

Q.5. What is the case filing time before Supreme Court?

Monday to Saturday (except Friday): 8:30 am to 2:30 pm Friday: 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

Q.6. Does the Supreme Court sit on Saturday?

Not ordinarily. It is a day for writing judgments. The office however remains open and conducts routine business.

Q.7. Does the Office of Supreme Court remain open during Summer and Winter vacations?

Yes. Except on Sunday & Holidays

Q.8. If I want to file a case in Supreme Court through an Advocate; what should I do?

An Advocate-on-Record duly enrolled in Supreme Court of Pakistan can be engaged for filing of cases (Rule 14 & 15 of Order IV of Supreme Court Rules, 1980). An Advocate-on-Record can instruct an Advocate of Supreme Court to appear for pleading the case before this Court (Rule 6 of Order IV of Supreme Court Rules, 1980)

Q.9. Can I file my case in the Supreme Court without engaging a counsel?

Yes. Petitions and appeals can be filed in person by the party, if so desired. The procedure for filing cases/documents is prescribed in the Supreme Court Rules, 1980.

Q.10.How to seek remedy from Supreme Court in cases of Civil nature?

Against the orders of High Court in civil cases and those of Service Tribunal, you can invoke the jurisdiction of Supreme Court by filing:-

  1. Civil Petition for leave to appeal under Article 185 (3) of the Constitution within 60 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
  2. Civil Petition for leave to appeal under Article 212 (3) of the Constitution within 60 days from date of order/judgment of Service Tribunal.
  3. Civil Appeal under Article 185 (2) (d) & (e) of the Constitution within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
  4. Civil Appeal otherwise provided in any other law/statute within the time as provided in that law/statute.
Q.11.How to seek remedy from Supreme Court in cases of Criminal nature?

Against the orders of High Court in criminal cases, you can invoke the jurisdiction of Supreme Court by filing:-

  1. Criminal Petition for leave to appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
  2. Criminal Appeal under Article 185 (2) (a) (b) & (c) of the Constitution within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
  3. Criminal Appeal under Section 19 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 and Section 476 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
  4. Jail Petition for leave to appeal under Rule 3, Order XXIII of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.
Q.12.How to seek remedy from Supreme Court in cases of Public Importance with reference to enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Anyone can invoke the jurisdiction of Supreme Court by filing a Constitution Petition under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution. (No time limit is provided).

Q.13.How to seek remedy before Supreme Court in Shariat Cases?

Against the orders/judgments of Federal Shariat Court, you can invoke the jurisdiction of Supreme Court by filing:-

  1. Civil Shariat Appeal under Article 203-F (1) of the Constitution against final decision of Federal Shariat in proceedings where under Article 203-D of the Constitution, Federal Shariat Court decides the question as to whether or not any law or provision of law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam within 60 days from date of order/judgment of Federal Shariat Court. (Time limit is 6 Months for Federation or a Province).
  2. Civil Shariat Petition under Article 203-F (2B) of the Constitution in the above matter against interim order within 60 days from date of order of Federal Shariat Court.
  3. Criminal Shariat Appeal under Article 203-F (2A) of the Constitution in criminal cases within 30 days from date of order/judgment of Federal Shariat Court.
  4. Criminal Shariat Petition under Article 203-F (2B) of the Constitution in criminal cases within 30 days from date of order/judgment of Federal Shariat Court.
Q14. Whether a judgment/order of this Court can be reviewed?

Yes, a party aggrieved by a judgment/order of this Court can file Review Petition under Article 188 of the Constitution, read with Order XXVI of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. Cash Security of Rs.10,000/- is required to be deposited in Federal Treasury, receipt whereof is to be attached with the Review Petition.

Q.15.What is the procedure for refund of security amount of Rs.10,000/- deposited along with review petition?

Security amount will be refunded to the Petitioner, if Review Petition is allowed and to the Respondent if contested by him and is dismissed. For this purpose an application is required to be filed.

Q.16.Does after decision of Review Petition the aggrieved party has any other remedy before this Court?

No such remedy is available.

Q17. Whether a person can approach this Court to get a case transferred pending in Family Court in one Province to the Family Court in any other Province?

Yes, by filing a Civil Misc. Application before this Court under Section 25-A (2b) of West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964 either in person or through Advocate-on-Record

Q18. If there is non-compliance of order of Supreme Court in any case; what remedy is available to the aggrieved party?

The aggrieved party can file a Criminal Original Petition (commonly known as contempt petition) under Article 204 of the Constitution read with Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003. (No time limit is provided)

Q19. Can Registrar, Supreme Court refuse to receive a Petition or document?

Yes, if it has not been filed in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules or is frivolous or contains scandalous matter.

Q20. What remedy is available to the aggrieved party if the Registrar returns or refuses to receive a petition or document?

The aggrieved party can file a Misc. Appeal against such refusal within 14 days. It is heard and decided by Judge in Chambers.

Q21. If accused is in jail, after being convicted by the High Court, what remedy is available to him?

The convicted person can invoke the jurisdiction of Supreme Court either by sending a Jail Petition for leave to appeal through the concerned Jail authorities or by filing Criminal Petition for Leave to appeal through lawyer/Advocate-on-Record within 30 days from date of order/judgment of High Court.

Q22. How can an accused in criminal cases get the assistance of counsel at state expense to represent him before the Supreme Court?

Supreme Court Rules provide for counsel at state expense in Jail Petitions in cases of the following nature:-

  • Convicts who have been sentenced to Death by the High Court under Rule 6 of Order XXIII of Supreme Court Rules, 1980.
  • For an accused in a proper case if the Court so directs, under Rule 7 of Order XXII of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980.
Q.23.What amount of Court Fee is to be incurred for filing cases & documents and its mode of payment?

As per Part- I & II of Third Schedule to Supreme Court Rules, 1980. Important ones are as under:

S #DescriptionAmount
1Filling and lodging petition for leave to appealRs.250/-
2On the appeal as provided by order XIV rule 6, where the amount or value of the subject -matter in dispute on appeal is Rs.15,000 or below that sum.

For every Rs.1,000 in excess of Rs.15,000.

In cases where it is not possible to estimate at amoney Value the subject-matter in dispute.

Provided:

(i)           That the maximum fee payable in any Case shall not exceed Rs.2000/-

(ii)          That where an appeal is brought by leave granted by this Court credit shall be given to the appellant for the amount of court fee paid by him on the petition for leave to appeal

Rs.250/-

Rs.5/- For every thousand rupees or part thereof.

 

 

Rs.250/-

3Filling and lodging concise statement or caveatRs.10/-
4Application for Review of Judgment or order including filingHalf of fee paid on the original Proceedings.
5Entering AppearanceRs.2/-
6Power of AttorneyRs.4/-
7Every document for which fee is not specifically.Rs.2/-
8Every ApplicationRs.5/-
9Every certified copy of Decree/JudgmentRs.5/-
10Affidavit in Criminal cases, cases from Service Tribunal & Shariat casesRs.10/-
11Affidavit in other casesRs.12/-
Q.24.Does the Supreme Court or its staff offer legal advice?

No. For legal advice a litigant has to approach legal firms/lawyers.

Q.25.How can I get legal advice if I cannot afford the services of a lawyer?

Supreme Court does not provide such kind of facility. However, Free Legal Aid Committees of Bars provides this facility in appropriate cases.

Q.26.Does the Supreme Court provide a list of recommended lawyers?

No.

Q.27.Does the Supreme Court provide mediation services?

No.

Q.28.Can I choose which Judge hears my matter?

No. Judge can never be of the choice of the litigant.

Q.29.Can a litigant or common man attends the hearings of Supreme Court?

Yes.

Q.30.How can a person apply for certified copy of order/judgment of this Court?

At Information Desk of this Court, prescribed forms are available which can be filled in by the applicant and after affixing requisite Court fee, if due, (as in service matters arising out of judgment of Tribunal, court fee is not charged) one can obtain a certified copy.

Q.31.Can any person get certified copies of all documents of a case?

Certified copies are issued as per Order IX of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. A party to a case who has appeared can get copy of documents on payment of prescribed fee. A person who is not party to a case, can also get a copy on showing good cause for the same on payment of prescribed fee.

Q.32.If a person resides outside Islamabad/Rawalpindi, how can he get certified copies of order/judgment?

There are Branch Registries of this Court at Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar and the applicant can approach any of these Registries to apply and then to receive the certified copies from there accordingly.

Q.33.How much amount is involved for obtaining certified copy of orders / judgments/documents?

As per Part-II of Third Schedule to Supreme Court Rules, 1980. Court fee stamp of Rs.5/- is affixed upon every certified copy of Order/Judgment/document in addition to the folio charges. For folio charges upon one page Order/Judgment/document court fee stamp of Rs.1.86 is also affixed

Q.34. What is the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court?

The Human Rights Cell processes applications/complaints of violation of fundamental rights on behalf of poor, downtrodden and deprived individuals/segments of society

Q.35.How a person can approach Human Rights Cell of this Court?

By sending an application through post

Q.36.How a person can get information about status of his Human Rights Case?

By calling at Information Desk of this Court at Phone Number 051-9082219

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