File a Case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan Without a Lawyer: Hours, Fees and Papers
You can file a Supreme Court of Pakistan petition in person. See filing hours, the Rs 250 fee, the CNIC rule, the 14 day Registrar appeal and registry numbers.
You can file a petition or appeal in the Supreme Court of Pakistan yourself, without a lawyer, on Monday to Saturday before the filing deadline for that day. Filing closes at 2:30 pm on most days and at 11:00 am on Friday. Bring your original CNIC to enter the building.
We read the Supreme Court's Frequently Asked Questions page on 11 October 2026. The court says the procedure for filing is set by the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. This guide turns its answers into a plan for a person who walks in alone.
The court allows a party to file in person
The FAQ asks the question directly: can I file my case without engaging a counsel? The court's answer is yes. Petitions and appeals can be filed in person by the party, if the party wants. The rules decide how documents must be prepared and filed.
The other route is an Advocate-on-Record, a lawyer enrolled with the Supreme Court who can file cases for a client. That lawyer can brief a Supreme Court advocate to argue. Neither step is forced on you. The court also says it does not give legal advice and does not recommend lawyers.
Know the hours before you travel
The court's office hours are Monday to Saturday, except Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. On Friday they are 8:30 am to 12:00 noon. Case filing has shorter hours. It runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, and on Friday from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.
The court does not ordinarily sit on Saturday, which it keeps for writing judgments. The office stays open for routine work. The office also stays open in summer and winter vacations, except on Sundays and holidays.
| Day | Office hours | Case filing |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday, Saturday | 8:30 am to 3:30 pm | 8:30 am to 2:30 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am to 12:00 noon | 8:30 am to 11:00 am |
| Sunday and holidays | Closed | Closed |
Pick the right registry to walk into
The Supreme Court has its Principal Seat on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad and four branch registries. The FAQ lists them as Lahore on Nabba Road near the GPO, Karachi on M.R. Kayani Road opposite Shaheen Complex, Peshawar on Khyber Road opposite P.C. Hotel, and Quetta in the Balochistan High Court building.
The Islamabad number is +92 51 92 205 81. Lahore is +92 42 99 212 401, Karachi is +92 21 99 212 306, Peshawar is +92 91 92 136 01 and Quetta is +92 81 92 013 68. The page does not say which registries accept new petitions, so call the one near you before you go.
What to carry and what it costs
To enter the premises you need your original CNIC and, if the court has issued one, the notice about fixing your case. The Islamabad building has a stamp vendor, a photocopy and binding shop, a post office and a bank ATM, so you can fix small gaps on the day.
The fees come from the Third Schedule of the Supreme Court Rules, as the court lists them. A petition for leave to appeal costs Rs 250. A concise statement or caveat costs Rs 10. An application costs Rs 5. An entry of appearance costs Rs 2, a power of attorney Rs 4 and an affidavit Rs 10 in criminal, Service Tribunal and Shariat cases, or Rs 12 in other cases.
- Check the time limit for your case first, using the Supreme Court appeal deadlines.
- Prepare the petition as the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 require, with the High Court order attached.
- Get court fee stamps for the fees above.
- Reach the registry before 2:30 pm, or 11:00 am on Friday, with your original CNIC.
- Ask at the information desk where to submit, and keep your receipt and case number.
The Registrar can refuse a filing, and you can appeal
The court's FAQ says the Registrar can refuse a petition or document that was not filed under the rules, or that is frivolous or has scandalous matter. If that happens, you can file a Misc. Appeal within 14 days. It is heard and decided by a Judge in Chambers.
That 14 day limit is short. If your papers are returned, read the reason on the same day and ask the information desk what is wrong.
Help, hearings and copies after you file
You can follow the case on the court's online status page, and checking a court case status online shows how. If the matter is urgent, applying for an early hearing is a separate application. A person who lives far away can ask for a video link hearing.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the FAQ says the court does not provide that facility, and that Free Legal Aid Committees of the Bars may help in suitable cases. The court has since linked its 1818 call centre to bar councils, and the 1818 free legal aid helpline has the detail.
Anyone, including the public, may attend hearings. You may not pick the judge. For copies of orders, fill in a form at the information desk. A certified copy carries a Rs 5 court fee stamp plus folio charges, and a branch registry can issue copies if you live outside Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Common questions
Can I file in the Supreme Court without a lawyer?
Yes. The court says petitions and appeals can be filed in person by the party under the Supreme Court Rules, 1980.
What time does Supreme Court filing close?
It closes at 2:30 pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday, and at 11:00 am on Friday, according to the court's FAQ.
What do I need to enter the Supreme Court?
You need your original CNIC and, if issued, the notice about fixing your case.
What if the Registrar refuses my petition?
You can file a Misc. Appeal within 14 days. A Judge in Chambers decides it.
Does the Supreme Court give legal advice?
No. The court says it does not offer legal advice, a list of recommended lawyers or mediation.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 11 October 2026. We read the Supreme Court of Pakistan's Frequently Asked Questions page, questions 1 to 9, 19 to 20, 23 to 27 and 29 to 33, on supremecourt.gov.pk. We did not read the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 or visit a registry. The page does not say which registries take new filings. Check the court's own page and call before you travel.
About the author
Senior Writer, Public Services and Technology
Shahid joined us in 2024 as an author. He is a senior contributor to Pakistan's leading technology websites. He writes detailed articles, mostly covering his expertise in the latest tech, mobiles, apps, gadgets, and step-by-step guides. His ideology is to help people understand the latest trends and explain complex methods through very easy-to-understand guides.
