Q: WRITE A NOTE ON LEGAL SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN.

 The legal system of Pakistan:

The legal system in Pakistan is derived from the English model through the adoptions of the
laws and structures if British India, itself a codified legal based on nineteenth century English
law. As a result, the legal system and much of the substantive law of Pakistan will be familiar
to any common law lawyer.

The substantive law of Pakistan derived from the English common law. In addition,
Pakistan is an Islamic republic. Although, Pakistan is presently undergoing a change in its
jurisprudence.

 Judicial system of Pakistan:

The judicial system of Pakistan made of many courts differing in levels of legal superiority
and separated by jurisdiction and sphere of authority. Some courts are federal in nature while
other are provincial.

1: MAGISTRATE:

Magistrate has following powers:

 To arrest at the spot

 To give search warrant
 To sent on 24 hours remand

2: DISTRICT COURTS:

A trial court that has jurisdiction over certain cases within a specific state. There are
two types of district courts.

 Civil court: The civil court handles legal disputes related to the rituals properties and
partnerships.
 Session court: The Sessions Court is responsible for adjudicating matters related to
criminal cases.

3: HIGH COURTS: There are five High Courts of Pakistan, each of four based in the capital
city of one of the four provinces. The government has proposed a fifth high court to cover the
Islamabad Capital Territory. High courts are also known as appellant court and provincial
courts.
4: SUPEREME COURT: The Supreme Court of Pakistan is the apex court in the judicial
hierarchy of Pakistan. Established in accordance to the Part VII of the Constitution of
Pakistan. It is also known as appellant court and federal court. There is also a federal Shariah
court in Pakistan who handles the disputes according to the Islamic way.

5. PRESEDENT OF STATE:

Following are the powers of president of state:

 To change death sentence into life.

 To change life imprisonment into few years.
 To forgive a person and release him because of his good conduct in imprisonment.

Magistrate

District courts

Civil court Session court

(Rituals, property, partnership) (Crime related)

High court (appellant court/ provincial

court)

(Federal Shariah court) Supreme court (appellant court/ federal

court)

(Decisions under Islamic law)