Court mandates Times New Roman font with double spacing for English pleadings, Unicode for Hindi; emphasizes clarity and consistency in filings; also directs Nagar Nigam Prayagraj to decide house-tax correction representation within two months.
In a significant judgment dated October 28, 2026, the Allahabad High Court, in a Division Bench comprising Justices Ajit Kumar and Garima Prashad, addressed the long-standing issue of inconsistency in the formatting of legal pleadings filed before the Court. The case, Sheo Kinkar Singh v. State of U.P. and Ors., arose from a scrutiny defect related to the use of italics in the prayer clause of a writ petition. The Court noted widespread irregularities concerning font type, font size, line spacing, and the use of bold and italic type across various filings.
Upon detailed examination, the Court found that the Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952, and the Instructions for Electronic Filing lacked uniform prescriptions governing these aspects for both physical and electronic filings. The absence of clear guidelines was adversely impacting the readability and orderly presentation of records.
To address this, the Court issued comprehensive directions to standardize the format of pleadings henceforth:
- English pleadings must be typed in Times New Roman font, size 14, with double line spacing.
- Hindi pleadings shall be in Unicode font, size 14, also with double line spacing.
- Bold typeface is restricted solely to the marking or description of annexures and the index.
- Italic type may only be used for extracts reproduced in the pleading and references to courts or statutory provisions. The prayer or relief clause should not be italicized.
- Existing rules on margins and electronic filing instructions remain applicable.
The Court directed the Registrar General to circulate these directions to all filing and scrutiny sections at the Principal Seat (Allahabad) and the Lucknow Bench, with enforcement by the Stamp Reporting Sections effective from November 12, 2026. This move aims to bring uniformity and enhance the quality of pleadings presented before the Court.
Separately, the Court disposed of the petitioner Sheo Kinkar Singh's writ petition seeking correction of a house-tax assessment issued by the Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj. As the petitioner had already submitted a representation on July 14, 2026, which was pending, the Court directed the Nagar Ayukt, Nagar Nigam, to consider and decide the matter within two months from receipt of the certified copy of the Court's order. The decision must be reasoned and speaking, ensuring transparency and accountability.
This judgment not only streamlines procedural compliance for litigants and advocates but also underscores the Court's commitment to expeditious and fair disposal of public grievances.
Bottom Line:
Practice and procedure - Filing of pleadings before Allahabad High Court - In absence of uniform rules regarding font, font size, spacing and use of bold/italics in physical filings, Court issued directions to bring uniformity - English pleadings to be in Times New Roman, size 14, with double line spacing; Hindi pleadings in Unicode font, size 14, with double line spacing - Bold type restricted to annexures and index - Italics permitted only for extracts and references to courts or statutory provisions - Prayer clause shall not be italicised - Directions to be followed by filing and scrutiny sections from 12.11.2026 - In writ petition, representation regarding correction of house-tax assessment directed to be decided by Nagar Ayukt within two months by reasoned and speaking order.
Statutory provision(s): Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952 (Chapter IX and XIII), Constitution of India Article 226
Sheo Kinkar Singh v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 3008781
