Keeping records: Judges told to note lawyers’ names

LHC directed district judiciary Punjab to mention names of lawyers of parties in judgments in civil and criminal cases

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed the district judiciary in Punjab to mention the names of the lawyers of all parties in judgments in civil and criminal cases. Abdul Sattar, a member of the LHC inspection team, issued a letter to all district and sessions judges and presiding officers in the province stating that judges, while recording orders in civil and criminal cases, were not mentioning the names of counsels. “This careless and inefficient practice breeds confusion and problems in subsequent proceedings of cases before appellate courts. This practice should be abandoned immediately as it creates hurdles in the dispensation of justice,” he said. Sattar also directed the judges to, while recording the evidence of the parties in civil and criminal cases, mention the name of the counsel cross-examining a witness before the start of the cross-examination. The judges were also directed to state their full name, designation and date on all orders. Sattar said that the district and sessions judges were responsible for ensuring that all judicial officers get the requisite name stamps. Sattar warned that not following the directions would result in “serious consequences”. He urged lawyers to cooperate with the judges.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2012.