The Supreme Court of Pakistan inaugurated the 1818 Legal Call Centre to provide citizens with a dedicated telephone facility for court-related information, free legal guidance and assistance in accessing legal aid.
The facility was inaugurated in the presence of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, with the first caller, Mr. Muhammad Saleem, formally marking the commencement of the service. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice emphasised that any person requiring legal advice may simply dial 1818 to seek free legal guidance without having to visit the Court or incur consultation expenses.
The initiative is intended to make assistance more readily available to citizens, particularly those who face financial difficulties, live in remote areas or are unfamiliar with court procedures.
The Call Centre will serve as a point of contact for lawyers, litigants and members of the public seeking information about the Supreme Court’s services and procedures. It will address queries concerning the status of cases, hearing dates, cause lists and case fixation, as well as the relevant offices or service channels through which callers may obtain further information or pursue their requests.
Callers will also be able to seek guidance on filing cases and applications, understanding procedural requirements, addressing filing objections and obtaining certified copies of judgments, orders and other court documents.
Queries relating to early hearing applications and the procedure for seeking information about pending matters will also be addressed.
The purpose is to help citizens understand the steps they need to take and approach the appropriate office with the necessary information and documents.
The facility will further guide callers on accessing the Public Facilitation Centre and the Supreme Court’s online services, including the use of the Court’s website, online case information and available electronic application facilities.
Citizens requiring help in locating a service, understanding how to submit a request or identifying the appropriate channel for a service-related concern will be guided accordingly. This telephone support will complement the assistance available through the Court’s physical and digital facilitation channels.
An expert legal adviser will also be available to address queries relating to litigation and legal cases. The adviser will provide free legal guidance, help callers understand the nature of their legal concerns and explain the appropriate procedural steps or avenues through which they may seek assistance.
This will be particularly useful for individuals who need initial advice before approaching a lawyer or a court, as well as litigants who require clarification about how to proceed with a legal matter.
For litigants who require free legal assistance, the legal adviser will also forward their names and applications to the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) for consideration and further action through the relevant legal aid arrangements.
The referral will help connect persons seeking assistance with the institutional mechanism through which their requests can be examined. The Call Centre will thus provide both initial legal guidance and a route for seeking further assistance where a litigant is unable to meet the cost of pursuing a case.
The information and guidance provided through the Call Centre will help citizens navigate court services and legal procedures. Decisions on judicial matters will continue to be made by the competent courts, while applications referred for free legal assistance will be considered through the relevant legal aid process.
