Author IALC
Imran appears as amicus curiae in case about adoptive father’s liability to maintain adopted child
The Lahore High Court was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali as amicus curiae in a case about the liability of an adoptive father to pay maintenance to an adopted daughter. The adoptive parents had divorced and the child was residing with the adoptive mother.
On 30-05-2025, Imran appeared as amicus curiae and assisted the court. Agreeing with Imran’s submissions, the Court was pleased to remand the case to the trial court for de novo trial.
The title of the case is Shahid vs Additional District Judge and others (W.P. No. 2012/2021).
All praise is for Allah alone!
High Court appoints Imran amicus curiae in case under banking laws
On 20-05-2025, the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali as amicus curiae in a case under banking laws. It is a suit in original civil jurisdiction of the High Court instituted by M/s Islamabad Farms against MCB Bank Limited. It involves legal questions about the validity of a mortgage charge and the bank’s liability to compensate the customer for its failure to release funds under a finance facility.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
The case is at an initial stage at present. Watch this space for updates on further developments in this case.
Legal Framework Established for Major Housing Society in Twin Cities
Barrister Ch. Imran Hassan Ali has successfully drafted and finalized the terms and conditions for Al-Haram City, a major private housing society with projects in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The housing society, which is expected to become one of the major residential developments in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, has now entered its next phase of development, with legal documentation setting a clear framework for future transactions, membership, and property transactions within the society.
The terms and conditions cover a wide range of issues, including but not limited to property ownership rights, the allocation of plots, maintenance responsibilities, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the obligations of both developers and homeowners. The terms and conditions align with local regulations while also providing clarity and protection for all parties involved. This is an important milestone in the legal aspect of the project.
Imran successfully mediates high-stakes corporate dispute
On January 15, 2025, the Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan, Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, took a significant step toward promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by appointing Barrister Chaudhary Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as the mediator in a high-profile and high-stakes corporate dispute involving shareholders of South Avenue (Private) Limited, a major real estate company in Bahria Town.
By the Grace of Allah, the mediation was successful. On 14-05-2025, the parties reached an agreement on all issues between them. The formal agreement will be drawn up and filed in court soon. Hopefully, the case will be decided in view of the agreement.
This case underscores the judiciary’s growing commitment to ADR as a cost-effective and efficient means of resolving disputes. It also highlights the rising relevance of ADR in corporate matters.
Watch this space for updates on this case.
Imran addresses a symposium on ADR
On 28-04-2025, a symposium on alternative dispute resolution was held at the Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association auditorium. Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, had the honour and the privilege to be one of the speakers. His speech focused on the recent instances of court-mandated mediation at the Rawalpindi Bench and the benefits of court-mandated mediation for lawyers. Other speakers at the symposium included Mr. Justice (R) Mushir Alam, Mr. Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf, Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan, Mr. Justice Asim Hafeez, District Judge Sufyan Rana from England, Deputy District Judge Ghazan Mahmood from England, and Barrister Talha Ilyas Sheikh.
The speeches can be viewed on Facebook by clicking here. Imran’s speech starts at around 16:00 in the video.
Imran appointed as amicus curiae in a case under the Defamation Ordinance
On 03-03-2025, a Single Bench of the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as amicus curiae in a case under the Defamation Ordinance, 2002.
Arguments are expected to be heard after Ramadan.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
Please watch this space for updates on this case.
Imran appears as amicus curiae in a case under the Income Tax Ordinance
A Division Bench of the Lahore High Court was pleased to appoint Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, as amicus curiae in a case under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 (“ITO”). The precise question before the Court was whether a applicant, whose reference under section 133 of the ITO has been allowed by the High Court on a preliminary legal point and whose case has been remanded to the Commissioner (Appeals) or the Income Tax Appellate Tribubal, is entitled to received back the court fee which the law requires should accompany a reference application, especially when there is no express provision in ITO permitting refund of court fee.
On 05-03-2025, Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, appeared before the Division Bench No. 2 at Rawalpindi and made his submissions. The Court accepted his submissions and allowed the application.
Imran also submitted that the very levy of court fee through section 133(12) of ITO is ultra vires because the Parliament lacks the legislative competence to enact such a provision. This also pursuaded the Court to allow refund. However, as the purview of the application before the Court was limited, the question of vires was left to be decided in some other appropriate proceedings.
It is a great honour for Imran. All praise is for Allah alone!
Christopher Buckingham delivers lectures at Rawalpindi High Court Bar and the Federal Judicial Academy, Islamabad
On 09-01-2025, Christopher Buckingham, a Barrister from England, addressed members of the Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association at the auditorium of HCBA Rawalpindi. The topic of his lecture was “Life at the English Bar and Current Themes in English Law”. The same day, Christopher also delivered a lecture to civil judges at the Federal Judicial Academy, Islamabad, in the presence of the Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan. Christopher is a dear friend of Ch. Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, and was visiting Pakistan on his invitation. For detailed introduction of Christopher as well as to watch his speech at HCBA Rawalpindi, please click here.
The Gatmells Motel Litigation Finally Draws Close to an End
Ch. Imran Hassan ALi, ASC, has successfully resisted a petition arising out of the Gatmells Motel litigation in the High Court.
The case pertains to the ownership and partition dispute between family members over the famous property, 1 Old Jail Road, Rawalpindi, which has been going on for almost 25 years, having started in the Civil Court in the year 2000. The property, worth billions, is situated between the District Judicial Complex and the Rawalpindi Golf Club. It also includes the famous Gatells Motel. Imran has been representing four out of the six siblings involved in the dispute before the High Court. Over time, numerous appeals and petitions have arisen out of this litigation, some of which even reached the Supreme Court.
On 09-12-2024, the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, dismissed one of the last civil revision petitions brought by one of the siblings to challenge the dismissal of her appeal against the final decree of the Civil Court. Imran represented the Respondents in this petition.
Finally, the end to this long saga appears to be in sight.
Watch this space for updates on this litigation.
Imran Successfully Mediates a 19-Year-Old Property Dispute
On 11-12-2024, Chaudhary Imran Hassan Ali, ASC, was appointed as the mediator by the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, to resolve a longstanding property dispute that has been ongoing for nearly two decades. The case involved multiple parties and required complex mathematical calculations to determine shares in inherited property over many generations.
Imran facilitated discussions between the disputing parties with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable settlement. Imran’s intervention led to a constructive dialogue and the parties were able to reach an agreement. The agreement has already been signed and filed in Court. The case is scheduled to come up before the Court in February 2025 when it is expected to be disposed of in terms of the agreement, thus bringing a long-drawn-out legal battle to an amicable end.
The Court’s decision to appoint a mediator underscores its commitment to finding a timely and amicable resolution to the matter, avoiding further prolonged litigation. Such initiatives can help decongest court dockets and offer a more efficient resolution process for complex disputes. It could set a precedent for future property-related disputes.