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Courts and procedure · For advocates

Civil revision? Ninety days. Not 91.

In short

Section 115 CPC in one swipe: the three grounds, the copies to attach, the bar on a second revision, and how the Supreme Court has treated delay.

By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 10 October 2026 · 10 slides · 2 min read

  1. For advocates · CPC section 115. Civil revision? Ninety days. Not 91.
  2. Only three grounds. · Section 115(1), CPC. · Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Section 115(1)
  3. The file you must attach. · The provisos to s.115(1). · Copies · Ninety days · Six months
  4. Quick quiz. Second revision? · Guess first, then swipe for the answer. · A. Yes, within 90 days · B. No, it is barred · C. Only with leave
  5. Answer: B. Barred. · Sections 115(3) and (4). · s.115(3) · s.115(4) · Applied
  6. Late by a few days? · How the Supreme Court has treated delay. · The rule · Every day · Vague affidavit
  7. Not a third appeal. · Concurrent findings of fact. · Supervisory · Two views · When to interfere
  8. Myth or fact? · The belt and braces filing. · Myth: File a revision anyway, even though an appeal lies. · Fact: Revision would not lie when an appeal lies (2007 SCMR 834; s.115(1) "in which no appeal lies").
  9. Draft the revision. · Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the leading judgments. · Grounds of material irregularity under section 115 CPC with Supreme Court case law. · Draft a civil revision against an order dismissing an application under Order VII Rule 11.
  10. Follow FAI Legal on Instagram, @fai_legal. How long does a civil revision take in your High Court?

Only three grounds.

Section 115(1), CPC.

“in which no appeal lies thereto, and if such subordinate Court appears (a) to have exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law; or (b) to have failed to exercise a jurisdiction so vested; or (c) to have acted in the exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material irregularity”

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Section 115(1), Revision

The file you must attach.

The provisos to s.115(1).

  • CopiesPleadings, documents and the order of the subordinate court.
  • Ninety daysFrom the decision. The court must give a copy within three days.
  • Six monthsThe High Court shall dispose of the application within six months.

Quick quiz. Second revision?

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

  • A. Yes, within 90 days
  • B. No, it is barred
  • C. Only with leave

Answer: B. Barred.

Sections 115(3) and (4).

  • s.115(3)Once an application is made to either the High Court or the District Court, no further application to either.
  • s.115(4)No revision in the High Court against an order of the District Court under s.115(2).
  • AppliedA second revision entertained by the High Court was without jurisdiction (1986 SCMR 1166).

Late by a few days?

How the Supreme Court has treated delay.

  • The ruleA revision after 90 days is liable to be dismissed as time-barred (2014 SCMR 1358).
  • Every dayThe delay of each and every day must be explained (2004 SCMR 1630).
  • Vague affidavitA file "slipped from the motorcycle", with no dates or details: delay not condoned (2003 SCMR 744).

Not a third appeal.

Concurrent findings of fact.

  • SupervisoryRevision is not a third forum for reappraisal of evidence (2026 SCMR 1019).
  • Two viewsWhere two interpretations are possible, keep the one adopted below (2020 SCMR 867).
  • When to interfereConspicuous misreading or non-reading of evidence (2016 SCMR 24).

Myth or fact?

The belt and braces filing.

  • Myth: File a revision anyway, even though an appeal lies.
  • Fact: Revision would not lie when an appeal lies (2007 SCMR 834; s.115(1) "in which no appeal lies").

Draft the revision.

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the leading judgments.

  • Grounds of material irregularity under section 115 CPC with Supreme Court case law.
  • Draft a civil revision against an order dismissing an application under Order VII Rule 11.

Example questions

What this does not mean

  • Revision does not lie where an appeal lies (2007 SCMR 834).
  • It is not a third forum for reappraisal of evidence. The court interferes with concurrent findings only for conspicuous misreading or non-reading of evidence.
  • A second revision is barred once an application is made to either the High Court or the District Court (s.115(3) and (4)).

Questions people ask

What is the limitation for civil revision in Pakistan?

Ninety days from the decision of the subordinate court, under the provisos to s.115(1) CPC. The court must give a copy of the decision within three days.

What are the grounds of revision under section 115 CPC?

Only three, in a case where no appeal lies: the subordinate court exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it, failed to exercise a jurisdiction vested in it, or acted illegally or with material irregularity.

What documents must be attached to a civil revision?

Copies of the pleadings, documents and the order of the subordinate court.

Can delay in filing a civil revision be condoned?

A revision after 90 days is liable to be dismissed as time-barred (2014 SCMR 1358). The delay of each and every day must be explained (2004 SCMR 1630), and a vague affidavit without dates or details failed (2003 SCMR 744).

Can I file a second revision in Pakistan?

No. Section 115(3) bars a further application once one is made to the High Court or the District Court, and a second revision entertained by the High Court was held to be without jurisdiction (1986 SCMR 1166).

Sources

  • Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 · Section 115(1)
    Revision Pakistan Code

Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. How we check.

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