Chittagong: Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has announced that the process for establishing a separate judicial secretariat under the Supreme Court is nearly completed. This development is aimed at ensuring the full administrative autonomy of the Supreme Court and is considered a significant step in the ongoing judicial reform efforts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Justice made these remarks while addressing a seminar titled ‘Reimaging the Future of Justice,’ jointly organized by the Law Faculty of Chittagong University and the AK Khan Foundation, held at the university’s campus. During his speech, the Chief Justice emphasized that the initiative is crucial for establishing full administrative independence for the judiciary and marks a major milestone in advancing the broader judicial reform process.
The seminar was attended by Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Yahia Akhtar, who served as the guest of honor, and Law Faculty Dean Professor Dr. M. Zafrullah Talukder, who chaired the event. The Chief Justice highlighted that the judicial reform roadmap, announced on September 21, 2024, is progressing with a focus on three primary goals: judicial independence, administrative autonomy, and procedural efficiency.
As part of the reform efforts, two independent constitutional institutions-the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council and the Supreme Judicial Council-have been established, free from executive and legislative interference. These councils hold exclusive authority over the appointment and removal of judges in the higher judiciary. Additionally, a comprehensive policy on the transfer and posting of judges nationwide has been submitted to the government to ensure transparency, fairness, and consistency.
Several recent initiatives have been launched by the office of the Chief Justice, including a helpline service for litigants, the introduction of a paper-free company bench, the implementation of a digital requisition system within the Supreme Court, the activation of a case tracking dashboard, and the updating of outdated personal records of judges. Proposals for the creation of specialized courts, such as child courts and electricity courts, have also been submitted to the government for consideration.
One of the key developments in the reform roadmap is the establishment of a specialized commercial court at the district level, aimed at resolving business disputes swiftly and effectively. The European Union has shown keen interest in supporting this initiative, viewing it as a significant step toward enhancing Bangladesh’s business environment.
The Chief Justice reiterated that these efforts are part of a broader constitutional renaissance aimed at restoring the judiciary’s dignity and independence. He stressed that sustainable reform in any sector is unattainable without judicial independence and noted that the judiciary currently stands as the only fully functioning constitutional institution in the country.
He also mentioned his visits to all divisions of Bangladesh to promote the reform agenda, engaging with judges and lawyers, and encouraging district-level participation in the process. Development partners such as UNDP, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Sweden have expressed their interest in providing strong policy support to aid in the implementation of these reforms.