Courts and procedure · For citizens
Lost in court? Your clock is ticking.
In short
An appeal filed late is dismissed even if the other side never objects. Here are the deadlines for civil and criminal appeals, and what the Supreme Court says about delay.
By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 10 October 2026 · 11 slides · 2 min read
Myth or fact?
What people tell themselves.
- Myth: I will appeal later, once I find a good lawyer.
- Fact: An appeal filed after the deadline shall be dismissed, even if the other side never raises it (Limitation Act s.3).
Civil case. Your deadlines.
Limitation Act, First Schedule.
- To the District JudgeThirty days (Art. 152).
- To the High CourtNinety days (Art. 156).
- Counted fromThe date of the decree or order you are appealing.
Criminal case. Your deadlines.
Appeals under the CrPC.
- To a court other than the High CourtThirty days (Art. 154).
- To the High CourtSixty days (Art. 155).
- Counted fromThe date of the sentence or order you are appealing.
Quick quiz. Two weeks late.
Guess first, then swipe for the answer.
- A. It is heard anyway
- B. It is dismissed as time-barred
- C. You pay a small fine
Answer: B. Dismissed.
Section 3, Limitation Act, 1908.
“every suit instituted, appeal preferred, and application made after the period of limitation prescribed therefor by the First Schedule shall be dismissed although limitation has not been set up as a defence.”
Limitation Act, 1908 · Section 3, Dismissal of suits, etc. instituted, etc., after period of limitation
Get the copy. Fast.
Section 12 gives you the copying time.
- Apply at onceFor a certified copy of the judgment and decree.
- Time excludedThe day of judgment, and the days from your copy application until the copy is ready (s.12(2), (5)).
- Then fileThe rest of the deadline is still running.
Already late? Explain every day.
Section 5: sufficient cause.
- Each and every dayThe delay of each day must be explained with convincing proof of good faith (2026 SCMR 1033, 2026 SCMR 190).
- Not good enoughCold weather and a sick steno typist: delay not condoned (PLD 2021 SC 937).
- Too longA 144-day delay was not saved by a Hajj trip of 30 to 40 days (2016 SCMR 1821).
Myth or fact?
The small delay hope.
- Myth: A few days late is fine. Courts always forgive it.
- Fact: There is no automatic forgiveness. For condonation, each day's delay must be explained with proper justification (2022 SCMR 2089).
Lost a case this month?
Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact deadline and the judgments behind it.
- The civil court decided against me on 2 October. By when must I appeal?
- Grounds for condonation of delay under section 5 of the Limitation Act.
Example questions
What this does not mean
- A late appeal is not saved just because the other side never objects (Limitation Act s.3).
- Delay is not forgiven automatically. Each day must be explained under s.5 with proof of good faith.
- Copying time under s.12 excludes only the day of judgment and the days the copy takes. The rest of the deadline keeps running.
Questions people ask
What is the time limit for a civil appeal in Pakistan?
Thirty days to the District Judge (Art. 152) and ninety days to the High Court (Art. 156), counted from the date of the decree or order.
What is the time limit for a criminal appeal in Pakistan?
Thirty days to a court other than the High Court (Art. 154) and sixty days to the High Court (Art. 155), counted from the date of the sentence or order.
What happens if an appeal is filed late?
It shall be dismissed, even if the other side does not raise limitation as a defence (Limitation Act s.3).
Is the time for getting a certified copy excluded?
Yes. The day of judgment and the days from your copy application until the copy is ready are excluded (s.12(2), (5)).
What is condonation of delay under section 5 of the Limitation Act?
The court can accept a late appeal for sufficient cause, but each day of delay must be explained with convincing proof of good faith (2026 SCMR 1033, 2026 SCMR 190). Cold weather and a sick steno typist were not enough (PLD 2021 SC 937).
Sources
- Limitation Act, 1908 · Section 3
Dismissal of suits, etc. instituted, etc., after period of limitation 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.
