HC amends rules, allows use of A4 size paper for filing pleas

ON AN AVERAGE, A PETITION AT THE TIME OF FILING, IS OF 60-70 PAGES

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has amended its rules to allow use of A4 size paper for filing of petitions and other legal documents in the high court to prevent wastage and save trees.

The Registrar General of the Allahabad high court has notified the Allahabad High Court (Amendment) Rules, 2021 allowing use of A4 sheets in exercise of its powers under Article 225 of the Constitution of India. The amended rules will come into effect from the date of its publication in official gazette.

The high court has amended the rules to allow filing of petitions, applications, etc that are legibly written or printed on one side of A4 size paper (29.7 cm X 2l cm) having not less than 75 GSM and the formatting style of the text shall be as prescribed by the high court from time to time.

However, for the purpose of using A4 size paper in district judiciaries, lower courts and tribunals, etc, amendments in the General Rules (Civil), 1957 and General Rules (Criminal), 1977, are yet to be notified.

More than one lakh cases are filed in the Allahabad high court every year and on an average, a petition at the time of filing, is of 60-70 pages. As on May 1, more than 10 lakh cases were pending in the high court. Besides, various applications and affidavits are also filed from time to time in these pending cases.

It is also relevant to mention that usage of A4 size paper with printing on both sides has been adopted and put in place in the Supreme Court of India and several other high courts of the country.