Allahabad High Court Directs Use of ‘Trial Court’ Instead of ‘Lower Court’ in Line with Supreme Court Guidelines
By Rajesh Pandey
In a move aimed at promoting dignity and precision in judicial language, the Allahabad High Court has directed its registry to discontinue the use of terms like “court below” and “lower court” in official records and proceedings.
The directive was issued by Justice Abdul Shahid while deciding a criminal appeal.
Emphasizing the importance of appropriate terminology, the court instructed that references should instead use “trial court” or mention the specific court concerned.
The order draws from guidance issued by the Supreme Court of India in a 2024 ruling, which highlighted that labeling any court as “lower” does not align with the constitutional ethos.
The apex court had clearly stated that such terminology diminishes the stature of trial courts and should be avoided.
In its earlier observation, the Supreme Court noted that even records should not be referred to as “Lower Court Records (LCR),” and instead should be called “Trial Court Records (TCR).”
It had also directed the Registrar (Judicial) to ensure compliance with this approach.
Taking this into account, Justice Shahid reiterated that respectful and accurate language must be used across all official documentation.
He clarified that terms like “trial court” or the specific designation—such as a special court—should replace outdated expressions.
The High Court was hearing a petition challenging a summoning order and the broader criminal proceedings in a case registered under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
This directive reflects a broader shift within the judiciary toward more thoughtful and constitutionally aligned language—recognizing that even the words used in legal processes carry significance in shaping respect and perception within the justice system.
