Federal Constitutional Court Declares Delayed Judgments a Legal Violation

The Federal Constitutional Court has declared that delayed judgments violate the law, sending a strong message to the judiciary. The Federal Constitutional Court Declares ruling highlights growing concerns about prolonged reserved decisions and emphasizes the need for timely justice across courts.

Justice Aamir Farooq authored the detailed seven-page verdict. The court also ordered that copies of the decision be sent to all high courts for strict implementation. This step aims to ensure uniform compliance with judicial timelines nationwide.

According to the ruling, high courts must announce reserved judgments within 90 days. If a court issues a decision after this period, it may be declared invalid on that basis alone. Moreover, the court stressed that procedural rules carry the force of law and must be followed strictly.

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The court further warned against leaking judgments before their official announcement. It stated that such actions violate established rules and undermine judicial integrity. Additionally, it clarified that judges and court staff are fully bound to follow these rules without exception.

The ruling explained that if a decision is leaked early, the bench head may order a fresh hearing. Another bench or even the same bench can rehear the case. Furthermore, such matters in high courts will be referred to the chief justice, while in the Supreme Court of Pakistan they will go to the judges’ committee.

The court also addressed case backlogs and delays in justice delivery. It noted that parties often wait long for outcomes, especially in complex cases. In the present matter, the Sindh High Court issued a reserved decision after 10 months, which led to intervention, reinforcing that the Federal Constitutional Court Declares delayed judgments a legal violation.