The Judiciary of Pakistan
The judiciary of Pakistan is a hierarchical system with two classes of courts:
i. the superior ( or higher) judiciary
The Superior judiciary is composed of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Federal Shariat Court and five High courts, with the Supreme Court at the apex. There is a High Court for each of the four provinces as well as a High Court for the Islamabad Capital Territory. The Constitution of Pakistan entrusts the superior judiciary with the obligation to preserve, in relation and defend the constitution. Neither the Supreme Court nor the High Court may exercise jurisdiction in relation to Tribal Areas.
Exception:
Except otherwise provided for the disputed regions of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit- Baltistan have separate court systems.
ii. subordinate (or lower) judiciary.
The subordinate judiciary consists of civil and criminal district courts, and numerous specialized courts covering banking, insurance, customs and excise, smuggling, drugs, terrorism, taxation, the environment, consumer protection, and corruption. The criminal courts were created under the Criminal Procedure Code 1898 and the civil courts were established by the West Pakistan by the West Pakistan Civil Court Ordinance 1962. There are also revenue courts that operate under the West Pakistan Civil Act 1967.The government may also set up administrative courts and tribunals for exercising exclusive jurisdiction in specific matters.
What is the structure of the judicial system in Pakistan?
The judicial Commission is headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and comprises senior judges of Supreme Court, Chief Justice and senior judges of High Court, Attorney General for Pakistan, Federal and Provincial Law Ministers, representatives of the Federal and Provincial Bar Councils, etc.
Which is the largest judiciary?
The Supreme Court is the highest court established by the Constitution.
Which is the highest judicial authority in Pakistan?
High Court
High Courts are the highest judicial body at the State level. Article 214 lays down the authority of High Courts. High Courts exercise civil or criminal jurisdiction only if the subordinate courts in the State are not competent to try the matters.
What is judge staff called?
The group of private offices provided for the judge and his or her personal staff is referred to the judge's chambers or judicial suite. Personal staff may include a judicial secretary, minute clerk or calendaring clerk, law clerk, court reporter, and bailiff, depending upon the type and size of the court.