Case at a Glance
A routine writ about a house-tax representation in Prayagraj became the occasion for a practice direction that every advocate filing in the Allahabad High Court must now follow. Noticing that the petitioner’s prayer clause was typed in italics, and that pleadings across matters used varying fonts, sizes, spacing and bold or italic text, the Division Bench found there was no uniform prescription in the Rules. It directed that English pleadings use Times New Roman, size 14, with double line spacing (Hindi pleadings a Unicode font, size 14, double spaced), limited bold to annexure markings and italics to extracts and references to courts or statutes, and barred italics in the prayer clause. Stamp Reporting Sections at Allahabad and Lucknow are to scrutinise filings under these directions from 12 November 2026.
The petitioner, Sheo Kinkar Singh, had a grievance about the house-tax assessment and demand for his house in Ward 5, Zone 6, Prayagraj. He made a representation on 14 July 2026, which remained pending, and came to the High Court only for a direction that the authority decide it. The Standing Counsel had no objection to such a direction.
While hearing the matter, the Court noticed that the prayer clause had been typed in italics and had not been flagged during scrutiny. It also found similar inconsistencies in font, size, spacing and the use of bold and italics in several other matters, and called for an explanation from the Stamp Reporting Section and for the relevant rules. On 6 August 2026 the Review Officer explained that the italicised prayer was not reported because no direction treated it as a defect. The Registrar General then placed a report before the Court on the rules and directives in force. The matter was reserved on 24 September 2026 and decided on 28 October 2026.
The Key Question Before the Court
In the absence of any uniform rule on font, size, spacing and the use of bold and italics in pleadings, should the High Court lay down formatting standards for physical and electronic filings — and what should they be?
Why the Court stepped in, and what it prescribed
The Court examined the existing framework and found only scattered requirements: double spacing for First Appeal paper-books, quarter margins under Chapter IX (Rules 6 and 11(4)) of the Rules, and clauses 2.1 and 2.2 of the e-Filing Instructions. There was no uniform prescription for font, font size, line spacing or the use of bold and italic type. As the Court put it, “The lack of uniformity affects readability and the orderly presentation of the record.” Directions were therefore needed to bring uniformity to how pleadings are presented.
The directions apply to physical as well as electronic filings. English pleadings — petitions, affidavits, counter and rejoinder affidavits, replies, applications and other pleadings — must be in “Times New Roman, size 14” with double line spacing; Hindi pleadings must use a Unicode font, size 14, double spaced. Bold is permitted only for marking or describing annexures in the pleadings and the index. Italics are permitted only for extracts reproduced in a pleading and for references to courts or statutory provisions; the prayer or relief clause must not be italicised. Margin requirements under the Rules and the e-Filing Instructions continue to apply. The Registrar General was asked to circulate the order to the filing and scrutiny sections at Allahabad and Lucknow and bring it to the notice of the Bar, with scrutiny under the new directions from 12 November 2026. On the petitioner’s actual grievance, the Court directed the Nagar Ayukt, Nagar Nigam, Prayagraj to decide his representation within two months by a reasoned and speaking order.
What the Court Actually Held
- There is no uniform prescription in the Allahabad High Court Rules or e-Filing Instructions on font, size, spacing or the use of bold and italics, and the lack of uniformity affects readability and orderly presentation of the record.
- English pleadings must be in Times New Roman, size 14, double spaced; Hindi pleadings in a Unicode font, size 14, double spaced — for physical and electronic filings alike.
- Bold is allowed only for marking or describing annexures; italics only for extracts and references to courts or statutory provisions; the prayer clause must not be in italics; existing margin rules continue.
- Stamp Reporting Sections at Allahabad and Lucknow to scrutinise filings under these directions from 12 November 2026; the petitioner’s house-tax representation to be decided within two months by a reasoned order.
Why This Judgment Matters
- It affects every advocate and litigant filing in one of India’s busiest High Courts, at both the principal seat and the Lucknow Bench.
- Non-conforming filings can now be reported as defects at scrutiny, so drafting templates need to change immediately.
- It shows a court using an ordinary case to fix a systemic, practical problem of readability of the record.
What Should Advocates Take Away From the Judgment?
For Litigants
- If you are filing in person, use Times New Roman 14 (or a Unicode Hindi font, size 14) with double spacing.
- Do not put your prayer or relief in italics, and do not use bold except to mark annexures.
For Counsel
- Update office templates for petitions, affidavits, counters, rejoinders and applications before the next filing.
- Remember the directions cover physical filings too, and margin rules under Chapter IX and the e-Filing Instructions still apply.
Key Takeaways
- Times New Roman, size 14, double spacing for English pleadings.
- Unicode font, size 14, double spacing for Hindi pleadings.
- Bold only for annexures; italics only for extracts and references; no italic prayers.
- Scrutiny under the new rules from 12 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What font must be used in Allahabad High Court pleadings?
English pleadings must be in Times New Roman, size 14, with double line spacing; Hindi pleadings must use a Unicode font, size 14, double spaced.
Can I use bold or italics in my petition?
Bold only for marking or describing annexures in the pleadings and index. Italics only for reproduced extracts and references to courts or statutory provisions. The prayer clause must not be italicised.
From when do these rules apply?
The Court directed the Stamp Reporting Sections at Allahabad and Lucknow to scrutinise filings in accordance with the directions from 12 November 2026, for both physical and electronic filings.
Conclusion
A misplaced italic in a prayer clause has produced a uniform drafting standard for the entire Allahabad High Court. The directions are simple, but because the registry will check them at scrutiny, they carry real consequences for anyone who files.
Practical takeaway: From 12 November 2026, draft every Allahabad High Court pleading in Times New Roman 14 (or Unicode Hindi 14), double spaced, with bold only for annexures and no italics in the prayer.
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