Civil litigation is the firm's oldest discipline and remains its centre of gravity. We have appeared continuously before the courts of Karachi since 1959, and that familiarity — with the procedure, the listing practice and the judges — is itself a practical advantage to a client with a case to run.
Our approach is to establish early and candidly whether a claim is worth pursuing. Litigation in Pakistan is slow and expensive, and the honest answer is sometimes that a negotiated outcome serves the client better than a judgment years away. Where a matter must be fought, it is prepared thoroughly and run by senior counsel from filing to final order.
What we do
- Suits for recovery of money, damages and mesne profits
- Specific performance of contracts and agreements to sell
- Declaratory suits, cancellation of instruments and permanent injunctions
- Interim relief: temporary injunctions, attachment before judgment and receivers
- Contractual, partnership and shareholder disputes
- Appeals, revisions and civil miscellaneous applications
- Execution proceedings, attachment and sale of judgment-debtor property
- Defending suits and applications brought against clients
How we work
Matters in this area are handled by senior counsel from first instruction to final order. We give a candid view of the merits at the outset — including where a claim is not worth running — and agree fees before work begins rather than after.
If your matter touches more than one of our practice areas, it will be dealt with by the same team rather than passed between departments.
Common Questions
Civil Litigation: frequently asked
How long does a civil suit take in Karachi?
It depends heavily on the forum and the nature of the relief. Interim injunctions can be obtained within days where the case is urgent, while a suit tried to judgment commonly takes several years, and appeals extend that further. We give a realistic estimate at the outset rather than an optimistic one.
What is the limitation period for filing a civil suit?
It varies by cause of action under the Limitation Act 1908 — commonly three years for contractual claims and one year for certain possessory matters, running from the date the right to sue accrues. Limitation is unforgiving, so it is worth taking advice early rather than after a deadline has passed.
Can I pursue a case in Karachi while living abroad?
Yes. Most steps can be handled through a properly executed and attested power of attorney, with your personal attendance required only rarely. We act for a number of overseas Pakistani clients on exactly this basis.
Enquiries
Discuss a civil litigation matter.
An initial consultation carries no obligation, and we will tell you plainly whether the firm is the right one for the matter.