FCC Rules Against Delayed Court Verdicts Nationwide

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) of Pakistan has issued a significant ruling against delays in announcing reserved judgments in superior courts, declaring that verdicts delivered beyond the prescribed timeframe are “against the law.”

The seven-page judgment, authored by Justice Aamir Farooq, came during the hearing of a petition filed by the Pakistan Shipping Corporation in a pension dispute case against a Sindh High Court decision.

The court ruled that high courts are required to announce reserved judgments within 90 days, emphasizing that rules of the Supreme Court and high courts have the force of law and must be strictly followed. It warned that violations of these rules could lead to consequences, including invalidation of delayed judgments.

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The FCC further observed that any verdict issued after the stipulated period may be declared void solely on that basis. It also stressed that judges and court staff are bound by procedural requirements without exception.

The judgment noted that even unintentional leaks of a decision or its key points before formal announcement violate court rules. In such cases, the bench head may order a fresh hearing, either by the same bench or a newly constituted one.

The court added that matters involving procedural irregularities in high courts would be referred to the chief justice, while similar issues in the Supreme Court would be sent to the judges’ committee for appropriate action.

Highlighting delays in the justice system, the FCC noted a growing trend of reserved judgments and pointed out that litigants often face long waits for final decisions. It also cited a case where the Sindh High Court took around 10 months to announce a reserved verdict.

In its final decision, the FCC disposed of the Pakistan Shipping Corporation’s appeal and struck down certain observations made by the high court. Copies of the judgment have been directed to all high courts for implementation.