Going to court in Pakistan raises the same handful of questions again and again - which court, how much, how long, and what happens next. This pillar answers 25 of the most common ones in one place, grouped by theme, with the governing law named where it matters. Each section links to a detailed guide so you can go deeper on the point that affects your case. For anything specific to your facts, speak to a lawyer through our consultation service.
Court structure and jurisdiction
Q1. What are the main courts in Pakistan? The superior judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, a High Court for each province and Islamabad, and the Federal Shariat Court. The district judiciary and special courts sit below them.
| Court | What it handles |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court of Pakistan | Apex court - appeals, and original constitutional jurisdiction under Article 184 |
| High Courts (5) | Provincial and ICT appeals, plus writ jurisdiction under Article 199 |
| District & Sessions Courts | Principal civil and criminal courts of the district |
| Civil Judges / Magistrates | First-instance civil suits and criminal trials |
| Special courts | Family, banking, consumer, labour, anti-terrorism, drug and tax matters |
Q2. What is a writ petition? A constitutional petition filed in a High Court under Article 199 - used to challenge unlawful acts of public authorities. Q3. Which court has the final word? The Supreme Court. Q4. How do I know which court has jurisdiction? It turns on the value of the claim and where the dispute arose - our civil court jurisdiction guide breaks it down.
Filing a case
Q5. How do I start a civil case? You file a plaint under the CPC 1908 before the court with jurisdiction, pay the court fee, and the court issues summons to the other side. Q6. Do I need to send a legal notice first? Not always, but it is wise and sometimes required - see when to send a legal notice. Q7. What is a recovery suit? A suit to recover money owed; our recovery suit guide covers it. Q8. How does the whole civil case flow? From plaint to decree - the full journey is in our civil suit procedure guide. Q9. How is a criminal case started? Usually with an FIR at the police station under the CrPC 1898 - read how to file an FIR.
A case filed in the wrong court, or without the right court fee, can be returned or rejected at the outset. Getting jurisdiction and valuation right before you file saves months. When in doubt, have the plaint reviewed - our legal forms library and consultation service can help.
Court fees and costs
Q10. How are court fees calculated? Under the Court Fees Act 1870. Suits with a fixed subject value carry a flat fee; money and property suits carry an ad valorem fee based on the value of the claim. Q11. What happens if I underpay? Section 4 bars the court from acting on a document until the correct fee is paid - a short-paid plaint can be rejected if the deficiency is not made up.
| Fee type | Applies to | How it is set |
|---|---|---|
| Ad valorem | Money suits, property, recovery | Percentage of the claim value (varies by province) |
| Fixed | Declarations, injunctions, many petitions | Flat statutory amount |
| Process / copying | Summons, certified copies | Small prescribed charges |
Exact figures differ by province and claim, so treat any number as indicative and confirm before filing. Q12. Can I estimate my fee? Yes - use our court fee calculator, then verify with counsel. A deeper explainer sits in our court fees guide. Q13. Is legal aid available? Yes for those who qualify - see legal aid in Pakistan.
Deadlines and limitation
Q14. Is there a time limit to sue? Yes. The Limitation Act 1908 fixes the period, and a time-barred case is liable to dismissal. Q15. What are the common periods?
| Action | Typical limitation |
|---|---|
| Most contract / recovery suits | 3 years |
| Recovery of immovable property | 12 years |
| Many appeals to a higher court | 30 days |
| Certain compensation claims / appeals | 90 days |
The time taken to obtain a certified copy of the judgment is excluded when counting an appeal deadline. Q16. Where do I read the exact articles? Our limitation deadlines guide lists them. Q17. What if I lose at first instance? You can usually file a civil appeal within the prescribed period.
Criminal cases and bail
Q18. What is bail? Release of an accused pending trial, granted or refused under the CrPC 1898 depending on whether the offence is bailable. Q19. What is pre-arrest bail? Protection sought before arrest in a cognisable case - our anticipatory bail guide explains it. Q20. And post-arrest bail? Sought after arrest; see post-arrest bail. Q21. What are my rights during police investigation? Set out in our investigation rights guide. Q22. How does a criminal trial proceed? Charge, evidence, defence and judgment under the CrPC - read the criminal trial process.
Tracking, timings and copies
Q23. How do I check my case online? Use the provincial case management systems - DSJ Punjab, the Sindh CFMS, or the Islamabad case search - and enter your case number or party name. Our online case status guide walks through each portal. Q24. What are court timings and holidays? Courts sit on working days with urgent matters often taken in the morning; details and the judicial calendar are in our court timings guide. Q25. How do I get a certified copy (naqal)? Apply to the copying branch and pay the prescribed fee - typically ready within a few working days, as explained in our certified copy procedure guide.
Civil vs criminal cases: the differences that matter
People frequently pursue the wrong track, most often by filing a criminal complaint over what is really a commercial dispute. The distinction determines the forum, the standard of proof and what you can actually get at the end.
| Civil | Criminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Brought by | The aggrieved party | The state, on a complaint or FIR |
| Purpose | A remedy - money, possession, a declaration | Punishment of an offence |
| Standard of proof | Balance of probabilities | Beyond reasonable doubt |
| Outcome | A decree | Conviction or acquittal |
| Does it recover your money? | Yes, that is its purpose | Not directly |
| Court fee | Often ad valorem on the claim | Not the same structure |
| Can it be compromised? | Generally yes | Only where the offence is compoundable |
The row that matters most is the fifth. A criminal case addresses the offence; it does not hand you your money. Where you want to be paid, the civil claim is the one that delivers it - and pursuing only the criminal route while the civil limitation period expires is a recurring and expensive mistake.
The two can run in parallel where the facts support both, and frequently do. Take advice on sequencing rather than assuming one must conclude before the other starts. See the cheque bounce limitation position, which is the clearest everyday example of this trap.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to go to court in Pakistan?
You may appear in person, but procedure is technical and errors on jurisdiction, limitation or pleadings can sink a case. For anything beyond a minor matter, engage a licensed advocate - and verify their Bar Council licence first.
How long does a civil case take in Pakistan?
It varies widely - simple suits may conclude in a year or two, contested matters with appeals take considerably longer. Sending a proper legal notice and pleading cleanly at the start helps avoid delay.
What is the difference between an appeal and a revision?
An appeal is a full re-hearing of the merits before a higher court; a revision petition is a narrower check on jurisdiction or legal error. Deadlines differ, so act quickly.
Can I settle a case out of court?
Yes. Many civil disputes settle through compromise or alternative dispute resolution, which the court can record as a decree. This is often faster and cheaper than a full trial.
Are these court fees exact?
No. Fees and limitation periods here are indicative and vary by province, claim type and statute amendments. Always confirm the current figure with counsel or the court before filing.
What is the difference between a civil and a criminal case in Pakistan?
A civil case is brought by the aggrieved party for a remedy such as money or possession, proved on the balance of probabilities. A criminal case is brought by the state to punish an offence and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Will a criminal case get my money back?
Not directly. A criminal case addresses the offence; the civil claim is what delivers payment. Pursuing only the criminal route while the civil limitation period expires is a common and expensive mistake.
Sources & official references
- Code of Civil Procedure 1908 civil suits, procedure and execution
- Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 FIR registration, Section 22-A and criminal procedure
- Supreme Court of Pakistan judgments and case information