Delhi High Court directs Union and Law Ministry to consider prescribing use of A4 size paper both sides

Read Time: 04 minutes

The Delhi High Court has directed the Union of India and Ministry of Law and Justice to consider prescribing the use of both sides of A4 sized paper, for all filings and pleadings across High Courts in India. 

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Vipin Sanghi J. and Hon'ble Mr. Navin Chawla J., noted that though this court has directed A4 sized paper to be used for all sorts of proceedings in the High Courts and District Courts, the Petitioner suggests that both sides of the A4 sized paper be used. 

The aspect of usage of both sides of the A4 sized paper has not been examined by the court before. 

The Petitioner, in his support cited a circular of the Supreme Court dated 05.03.2020 directing all pleadings, petitions, affidavits or other documents filed before the court on "..superior quality A4 size paper (29.7 cm x 21 cm) having not less than 75 GSM with printing on both sides of the paper with Font - Times New Roman, Font size 14, in one and half line spacing (for quotations and indents – font size 12 in single line spacing), with margin of 4 cm on left & right and 2 cm on top & bottom"

The Petitioner submitted that while the Delhi High Court would have jurisdiction to prescribe usage of both sides of A4 size paper to all District Courts in Delhi, for such a guideline to be implemented across all High Courts in India, the Ministry of Law and Justice would have jurisdiction to prescribe the same. 

Thus, the Delhi High Court has directed the Union of India and the Ministry of Law and Justice to consider the possibility of bringing about such guidelines to minimize consumption of paper & consequently to save the environment.