Bail, trials and appeals
Bail applications, trials and appeals from the Magistrate through the Sessions Court to the Lahore High Court, and the FIR-stage work that decides most cases before they reach trial.
Overview
A criminal case moves fastest in its first days, and that is where it is usually won or lost: whether an FIR is registered, whether pre-arrest bail is obtained before the police act, whether the investigation is challenged while it can still be corrected. Fortis Legal Partners represents accused persons and complainants at every stage, from the police station to the Sessions Court, the Lahore High Court and the special courts.
We take on bail, trials and appeals under the Pakistan Penal Code and the special laws that are charged alongside it: narcotics, cheque dishonour under section 489-F, hurt and property offences, fraud and criminal breach of trust. Where a case is a civil dispute dressed as a crime, we say so, and seek quashing or cancellation of the FIR.
Criminal matters carry consequences well beyond the courtroom. Nothing about your case leaves the office, and you deal with one advocate throughout, who knows the file and appears on every date.
We obtain the FIR, assess the sections charged and, where arrest is likely, move for pre-arrest bail immediately.
Representation before the investigating officer and superintendent, and applications to change the investigation where it is one-sided.
Framing of charge, cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, defence evidence and final arguments.
Appeals against conviction or acquittal before the Sessions Court and the Lahore High Court, with suspension of sentence where available.
The civil and sessions courts where most matters begin: civil suits before Civil Judges and Additional District Judges, and criminal trials before Magistrates and Sessions Judges. The firm was founded in the District Courts of Dera Ghazi Khan and still treats trial-court work as the core of the practice.
Governing law: Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973
Constitutional (writ) petitions under Article 199, civil and criminal appeals and revisions, bail before the High Court, and references from tax and customs tribunals. Both founding partners have been Advocates of the High Court since 2023.
Governing law: Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997
Bail, trial and appeal under the Anti-Terrorism Act, applications to transfer cases out of the ATC where the terrorism sections do not apply, and appeals before the High Court.
Governing law: Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
Filing and defending complaints under PECA before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which took over the FIA Cyber Crime Wing's role in 2025: online harassment, defamation, identity theft, financial fraud and unauthorised access, and the trials and bail applications that follow.
Governing law: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Rules
Inquiries by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment, FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act, bail and trials before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, and the departmental proceedings that usually run alongside.
Pre-arrest bail (section 498 Cr.P.C.) is sought before you are arrested and requires showing that the arrest is motivated by mala fides or ulterior motives. Post-arrest bail (section 497) is sought after arrest and turns on whether the offence falls within the prohibitory clause and whether there are reasonable grounds to believe you committed it.
Ask this on WhatsAppYes, in two ways: the police may recommend cancellation after investigation, or the High Court may quash the FIR under section 561-A Cr.P.C. where no offence is made out or the matter is essentially civil. Both require a careful reading of the FIR and the evidence.
Ask this on WhatsAppDishonestly issuing a cheque that is dishonoured is an offence under section 489-F PPC, punishable with up to three years. The defence usually turns on whether the cheque was issued towards a loan or a liability, and on the intention at the time it was issued.
Ask this on WhatsAppA copy of the FIR if one exists, any notices from the police, your CNIC, and the names of anyone who witnessed the events. Do not send documents over WhatsApp before we have spoken.
Ask this on WhatsApp
Founding Partner · Advocate High Court
Criminal, anti-terrorism, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and cyber crime advocate in Lahore
Punjab Bar Council · Enrolment No. 91220
Partner · Advocate
Criminal, cyber crime, immigration, customs, import and export advocate in Lahore
Punjab Bar Council · Enrolment No. 144965
Matters in this area often touch these as well.
Nothing on this page is legal advice and no representation is made as to the outcome of any matter.
Describe it in a short WhatsApp message. Someone from the firm reads it, tells you whether it is something we handle, and fixes a time.
+92 3110220257·Please do not send case documents in a first message. We will tell you what to bring.
