IHC drafts new policy for swift conclusion of civil appeals

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court has drafted a new policy for swift conclusion of hundreds civil appeals pending before the court.

Under the new policy, all civil appeals will be disposed of within the maximum period of four months and the hearing will be fixed   on the first working day after the filing of the appeal.

Moreover, the petitioner's lawyer shall sign an undertaking that the appeal includes full record without any omission. Both the defence and prosecution will be given a maximum of three hearings to complete arguments. If they are unable to do so in the given time, they shall submit written arguments.

The draft policy also bars adjournment of civil appeals for long periods and limits the time between consecutive hearings at not more than two weeks.

Adopting digitalisation, the judicial authorities shall deliver notices through email, courier services and other modern means.

Meanwhile, the trial courts will be obligated to submit record of decided cases within a week.

A notification issued by the IHC registrar has sought sought objections and recommendations from stakeholders including Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), Islamabad Bar Council (IBC), judges of sessions courts, Islamabad District Bar Association (DBA) and the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) on the proposed policy by June 30.

The proposed policy is expected to come into force from July 6.