Dhaka: Chief Justice Dr Syed Rafaat Ahmed announced that the judiciary has witnessed significant progress over the past year. He made this statement while speaking to journalists after attending a seminar on the ‘Establishment of Commercial Courts: Draft for Commercial Court’ at a city hotel.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Justice highlighted that newly launched regulations for appointments and the restructuring of the courts have empowered the judiciary, allowing it to progress at its own pace. He emphasized that the establishment of specialized commercial courts has advanced considerably, thanks to collaborations with various development partners. In July, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union (EU) engaged in a dialogue with the Supreme Court, providing valuable inputs from lawyers and the business community.
The Chief Justice also noted the absence of a dedicated judicial forum for resolving commercial disputes in Bangladesh, which currently hinders the speedy and effective trial of cases linked with significant financial issues. He acknowledged the dedication of judges and described the situation as a structural inconsistency rather than a criticism of their efforts. He pointed out that case backlogs are piling up, affecting business relations and the investment environment.
Statistics cited by the Chief Justice revealed that as of March 2025, more than 25,000 cases were pending in financial loan courts alone. He stressed that the demand for separate commercial courts comes from all stakeholders, including large investors, small entrepreneurs, domestic and foreign entities, who have long advocated for specialized courts to resolve commercial disputes efficiently.
The Chief Justice referenced global examples, noting that countries like Rwanda, India, and Pakistan have established commercial courts that foster efficient, transparent, and investment-friendly environments. He suggested that these international experiences offer valuable lessons for Bangladesh.
The seminar also featured speeches from Sylhet Senior District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Ashfakur Rahman, who delivered the welcome address, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, and UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller. Justice Zafar Ahmed of the High Court Division presided over the event.