Legal Chat

Pakistan's court system

پاکستان کا عدالتی نظام

The wrong forum is the most common reason cases get dismissed at the first hearing. This is a map of who decides what, what they appeal to, and the pecuniary or subject limits. Use the "Where do I file?" quick-picker if you already know the dispute.

Where do I file? — quick picker

Want to file Khula or claim maintenance?
→ Family Court of the district where you reside.
Recover an unpaid debt of PKR 5 lakh?
→ Civil Court (Civil Judge) of the district where the contract was performed or the defendant resides.
Property title dispute or partition?
→ Civil Court — pecuniary limit applies per province.
FIR registered against you and want bail?
→ For bailable offences — Magistrate. For non-bailable — Sessions Court (regular bail) or High Court (anticipatory bail).
Government action violating your fundamental rights?
→ High Court under Article 199 writ jurisdiction. For matters of broader public importance, Supreme Court under Article 184(3).
Bank loan recovery suit (above PKR 50 lakh)?
→ Banking Court under Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance 2001.
Tax dispute with FBR?
→ Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) → Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue → High Court (reference).
Drug-trafficking trial?
→ Special Court under Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997.

The hierarchy

  1. Union Council

    یونین کونسل

    Local

    Marriage registration, Talaq notice, succession certificate, mediation in family matters.

    Appeals to: Family Court (for related disputes)

    • Nikah/Talaq registration under MFLO 1961 s.5/s.7
    • Reconciliation in family disputes

    Source: Local Government Acts (per province) + MFLO 1961

  2. Family Court

    فیملی کورٹ

    District

    All matters listed in Schedule of Family Courts Act 1964: Khula, Talaq, custody, maintenance, dower, dowry, guardianship.

    Appeals to: District Court / High Court (depending on province)

    • Khula petition
    • Maintenance for wife/children
    • Hizanat (custody)
    • Dowry recovery

    Source: Family Courts Act 1964

  3. Civil Court (Civil Judge)

    سول کورٹ

    District

    Civil suits — contract, tort, property, succession, recovery — within the pecuniary limit set per province.

    Pecuniary: Punjab/Sindh: typically up to PKR 25 lakh (varies by class).

    Appeals to: District Court (within statutory limit) or High Court directly

    • Recovery of money
    • Specific performance of contract
    • Suit for declaration of title

    Source: Civil Courts Ordinance 1962 (and provincial amendments)

  4. Magistrate (Class I/II/III)

    مجسٹریٹ

    District

    Petty criminal trials and remand. Class I tries offences punishable up to 3 years + PKR 50,000 fine.

    Appeals to: District & Sessions Court

    • Bailable offences
    • Initial remand
    • Petty assault, simple hurt

    Source: CrPC 1898, ss.6 & 32

  5. District & Sessions Court

    ضلعی و سیشن جج

    District

    Civil appeals; serious criminal trials including offences punishable with death, life, or above 3 years; bail in non-bailable offences.

    Pecuniary: Civil appeals from Civil Courts; original civil where prescribed.

    Appeals to: High Court

    • Murder, robbery, rape trials
    • Bail under CrPC s.497
    • Civil appeals

    Source: CrPC 1898 + Civil Courts Ordinance 1962

  6. Special Courts (ATC, Banking, Drug, etc.)

    خصوصی عدالتیں

    District / Provincial

    Subject-specific: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATA 1997), Banking Court (FIRO 2001), Drug Court (CNSA 1997), Customs / Tax Tribunal.

    Appeals to: High Court (or relevant Tribunal then High Court)

    • ATC trials under Anti-Terrorism Act
    • Bank loan recovery > PKR 50 lakh
    • Narcotics trials

    Source: Respective specialised Acts

  7. High Court

    ہائی کورٹ

    Provincial (one per province + Islamabad)

    Constitutional writ jurisdiction (Art. 199), criminal & civil appeals, supervisory authority over subordinate courts, original jurisdiction in some matters.

    Appeals to: Supreme Court (with leave or as of right depending on category)

    • Writ petitions
    • Appeals against death/life sentences
    • Anticipatory bail
    • Tax/customs reference

    Source: Constitution of Pakistan, Art. 199 & 203

  8. Federal Shariat Court

    وفاقی شرعی عدالت

    Federal (parallel)

    Examines whether laws are repugnant to Islam (Art. 203D); appellate jurisdiction in Hudood cases.

    Appeals to: Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court

    • Hudood (zina, qazf, theft) appeals
    • Repugnancy challenges

    Source: Constitution of Pakistan, Art. 203A–203J

  9. Supreme Court of Pakistan

    سپریم کورٹ

    Federal apex

    Original (Art. 184(3) — public interest), appellate from High Courts and FSC, advisory (Art. 186), constitutional interpretation.

    Appeals to: Final

    • Suo motu in matters of public importance
    • Civil/criminal appeals with leave
    • Constitutional petitions

    Source: Constitution of Pakistan, Arts. 184–187

Confused about which forum is yours?

The wrong forum costs months. A 30-minute consultation with a lawyer here is faster than a year of dismissals.

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This page is guidance, not legal advice. Pecuniary limits and special-court jurisdictions change with each amendment — always verify before filing.