The Allahabad High Court has issued uniform formatting directions for all pleadings filed before it. English pleadings must be typed in Times New Roman, size 14, with double line spacing. Bold and italic type are allowed only in specified places. Stamp Reporting Sections at the Principal Seat and the Lucknow Bench will scrutinise filings under these directions from 12 November 2026.
A Bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad issued the directions while deciding a writ petition concerning a house-tax assessment in Prayagraj.
How the Issue Arose
During scrutiny of the petition, the prayer clause had been typed in italics but was not reported as a defect. The Bench noted that similar inconsistencies in font, font size, spacing and the use of bold and italic type had been seen in several matters. It called for an explanation from the Stamp Reporting Section.
On 6 August 2026, the Review Officer stated that the italicised prayer could not be reported as a defect because no direction treated it as one. The Court then asked the Registrar General to place on record any Rules or directives on font, spacing, signs and margins.
Registrar General’s Report
The report found that the Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952 prescribe:
- double spacing for the paper-book in a First Appeal (Rule 2 of Chapter XIII); and
- quarter margins under Rules 6 and 11(4) of Chapter IX.
No provision of the Rules prescribes a typing font. The Instructions for Electronic Filing specify Legal paper, set margins, Arial size 12 for English, a Unicode font of size 14 for Hindi, and double line spacing.
The Bench recorded that there is no uniform prescription applicable alike to physical and electronic filings on font, font size, line spacing or the use of bold and italic type. It observed:
“The lack of uniformity affects readability and the orderly presentation of the record.”
The Directions
The Court issued the following directions for petitions, appeals, applications and revisions:
- Scope: The directions shall apply equally to physical filings.
- Font and spacing: Every petition, affidavit, counter affidavit, rejoinder affidavit, reply, application and other pleading in English shall be typed in Times New Roman, size 14, with double line spacing. Hindi pleadings shall continue in a Unicode font, size 14, with double line spacing.
- Bold type: Bold may be used only to mark or describe annexures in the pleadings and the index. The Court directed that “No other part of a pleading shall be set in bold type.”
- Italics: Italics may be used only for extracts reproduced in a pleading and for references to courts or statutory provisions. The Court specified that “The prayer or relief clause shall not be italicised.”
- Margins: Margin requirements under the applicable Rules and the e-Filing Instructions shall continue to be observed.
The Registrar General has been directed to circulate the order at once to all filing and scrutiny sections at Allahabad and Lucknow, and to bring the directions to the notice of the Bar.
The Writ Petition
Advocate Surya Prakash Sharma, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the petitioner sought correction of a house-tax assessment and demand. He said the petitioner had already made a representation dated 14 July 2026 and confined his relief to a direction for its decision. Advocate Ashish Mishra, along with Advocate Chandan Sharma, appeared on behalf of the High Court on the Court’s direction. The Standing Counsel had no objection to the petition being disposed of with such a direction.
The Bench disposed of the petition. It directed the Nagar Ayukt, Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj to decide the representation within two months of receiving a certified copy of the order, by a reasoned and speaking order.
Case Title: Sheo Kinkar Singh v. State of U.P. and 2 others
Case No.: Writ – C No. 31056 of 2026
Bench: Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Garima Prashad
Date: 28 October 2026
