Chief Justice for ensuring justice at every corner of the country

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has called for ensuring that justice is not confined to courtrooms in major cities but reaches every corner of the country.

He made the statement during a seminar titled “Judicial Independence and Efficiency in Bangladesh” held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Saturday.

The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Supreme Court and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Speaking as the chief guest, the chief justice emphasized the need to enhance judicial efficiency and independence to serve the people effectively.

"At the heart of all our efforts lies a single objective: creating a judiciary that serves the people. Justice must not remain confined to the courtrooms of big cities; it must extend to every corner of the country," he said.

He added that achieving this goal would require expanding legal aid services, building capacity, and addressing socio-economic barriers.

The chief justice stressed the importance of a people-centric judiciary, adding: "A people-centred judiciary is one that not only adjudicates but also establishes rights. It educates citizens about their rights, provides accessible services, and builds trust through transparency and fairness. This vision inspires our efforts and will shape the future of our justice system."

The seminar focused on enhancing the independence and efficiency of the judiciary to improve service delivery.

Stephen Keeler, UNDP Bangladesh’s resident representative, delivered the welcome speech.

Justice Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court also addressed the gathering as a special speaker.

The event was attended by judges of the High Court Division, district-level judges, officials from the Supreme Court registry, and representatives from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Judicial Administration Training Institute, the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission, and the Law Commission.