The Allahabad High Court has issued directions prescribing uniform formatting requirements for petitions, appeals, applications, revisions and other pleadings filed before it, including physical filings, to ensure consistency and improve readability.
A Division Bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad directed that all pleadings prepared in English must use Times New Roman, font size 14, with double line spacing. Pleadings in Hindi must continue to use a Unicode font of size 14, also with double spacing.
The Court further directed that bold type may be used only for marking or describing annexures in pleadings and in the index. Italics may be used only for extracts reproduced in pleadings and references to courts or statutory provisions. The prayer or relief clause cannot be italicised, and italics cannot be used elsewhere.
The directions were issued after the Court noticed inconsistencies in the fonts, font sizes, spacing and use of bold and italic type in pleadings filed before it. The Court observed that the lack of uniformity affected readability and the orderly presentation of the judicial record.
The Bench noted that while the Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952 and the e-Filing Instructions contained certain formatting requirements, there was no uniform prescription applicable to both physical and electronic filings. It accordingly considered it necessary to lay down common standards.
The Registrar General has been directed to circulate the order to all filing and scrutiny sections at the Principal Seat and the Lucknow Bench and bring the directions to the notice of the Bar. The respective Stamp Reporting Sections will scrutinise filings in accordance with the directions with effect from November 12, 2026.
The order also disposed of the petitioner’s separate grievance concerning house-tax assessment and demand in Prayagraj, directing the Nagar Ayukt, Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj, to consider his representation and pass a reasoned order within two months of receiving a certified copy of the order.
