The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has submitted a 12-page proposal to the Supreme Court, calling for the withdrawal of the recently increased court fees and the introduction of strict timelines for case decisions.
SCBA President Mian Rauf Atta and Senior Advocate Hafiz Ehsan Khokhar argued that higher fees undermine citizens’ constitutional right to affordable justice. The new Supreme Court Rules, 2025 raised fees up to Rs50,000 for certain filings, which the bar says restricts access for poorer litigants.
The SCBA also recommended that every appeal in the top court should be resolved within one year, while civil appeals should be decided within six months, to reduce delays and ensure timely justice.
The bar further criticized the lack of consultation with legal stakeholders in drafting the new rules, stressing that reforms must not compromise access to justice.
READ MORE: Supreme Court Rules 2025: Updated Fee Structure
The Supreme Court introduced its new rules in August 2025, modernizing procedures with e-filing, digitization, and video hearings, alongside the controversial fee hike.
