Court Fees and Securities Remain Unchanged as New SC Rules Take Effect

ISLAMABAD – While the Supreme Court of Pakistan has unanimously approved the new Supreme Court Rules, 2025, it has been decided that the fees and securities from the repealed Supreme Court Rules, 1980, will continue to be applied for the time being.

The court has stated that a necessary amendment to the new rules will be notified to formalize this decision. This temporary measure ensures a smooth transition to the new procedural framework without immediate changes to financial requirements for litigants.

A press statement revealed that the 156th Full Court meeting of the Supreme Court of Pakistan was held on Monday at the Supreme Court Building, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi. The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble Judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan, including, Mr. Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, Mr. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Mr. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Mr. Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Mr. Justice Shahid Waheed, Ms. Justice Musarrat Hilali, Mr. Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Mr. Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan, Mr. Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Mr. Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, Mr. Justice Shahid Bilal, Mr. Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Mr. Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, Mr. Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, Mr. Justice Shakeel Ahmad, Mr. Justice Aamer Farooq, Mr. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Honorable Justice Mr. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and, Justice Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

At the very outset, the Hon’ble Chief Justice welcomed the participants and commended the efforts of the committee constituted to review the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. He appreciated the committee’s exhaustive work, undertaken with input from Hon’ble Judges and the legal fraternity, resulting in a comprehensive draft of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025. Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shahid Waheed, Chairman of the Committee, briefed the Full Court on the rules.

After thorough deliberations and a hectic debate, the Full Court unanimously agreed that the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, is a living document which will remain open to amendments to accommodate all social and legal developments in the paradigms of law. It was also unanimously decided that all the suggestions received or to be received shall be examined by the Committee, and the Committee shall make recommendations to the Full Court after evaluation with proposals. It was unanimously decided that, for the time being, the fees and securities as provided in the repealed Supreme Court Rules, 1980, shall continue to be applied in the Supreme Court Rules, 2025. The necessary amendment shall accordingly be notified.

The Hon’ble Chief Justice termed this development a significant milestone, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening institutional frameworks and ensuring that the Supreme Court Rules remain dynamic, responsive, and in line with contemporary needs.