LHC Introduces New Guidelines for Judges' Holidays

The Lahore High Court has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for judges' summer and winter vacations to ensure the uninterrupted hearing of important and urgent cases during court holidays. According to a circular issued following a Full Court meeting of the Chief Justice and judges, the summer vacation will be divided into three groups, while the winter vacation will be split into two groups. Each group will maintain a balanced ratio of senior and junior judges to ensure that judicial proceedings continue smoothly during the vacation period. Under the new guidelines, the schedule for summer vacations will be finalized by January each year, while the winter vacation schedule will be finalized by the end of September. The circular also sets specific deadlines for changes and mutual swaps between judges' vacation groups. No mutual swapping will be allowed after March 1 for the summer vacation groups, while the winter vacation group schedule will be considered final from November 1. Once the final schedule has been issued, changes to judges' vacation arrangements will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Chief Justice. The new SOPs aim to maintain continuity in the judicial system during court vacations, ensure the hearing of important and time-sensitive cases, and organize judges' leave schedules well in advance. Read More: Pakistan's Press Freedom Crisis Deepens as Global Groups Warn PM Shehbaz Govt The notification outlining the new procedures and guidelines was issued by the Director General, DDJ, on the instructions of the Registrar of the Lahore High Court.