Moulvibazar: Chief Justice (CJ) Syed Refaat Ahmed today announced that significant steps are being taken to establish specialized commercial courts as part of judicial reform initiatives. Addressing a regional seminar at DuSai Resort in Moulvibazar district, he emphasized the importance of these courts in the judicial landscape.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminar titled “Judicial Independence and Efficiency in Bangladesh” was a joint effort by the Bangladesh Supreme Court and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). CJ Ahmed highlighted that the specialized commercial courts aim to expedite the resolution of commercial disputes. This initiative is expected to provide timely and effective legal remedies, thereby boosting investor confidence and attracting more foreign direct investment.
CJ Ahmed also noted that these steps would align the judicial system with the demands of the evolving economy, positioning Bangladesh as a competitive and investment-friendly destination. He further detailed the progress of his judicial reform roadmap, mentioning the issuance of an ordinance for the formation of the ‘Judicial Appointment Council’ to oversee the appointment of High Court judges.
He reported notable progress in establishing the Supreme Court Secretariat and mentioned ongoing efforts to develop policies for the transfer and promotion of subordinate court judges. Additionally, the introduction of the Chief Justice Fellowship aims to enhance the capacity of judicial officers.
The Chief Justice also addressed the judiciary’s digital transformation, stating that paper-free operations have commenced in the Company Bench of the Supreme Court and are planned for future implementation in district courts. The Supreme Court’s new helpline service is designed to facilitate judicial services for litigants, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The seminar was presided over by Senior Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, and saw participation from judicial officers across Sylhet, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar.