CJ proposes establishment of separate commercial court in Bangladesh

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has proposed the creation of a separate commercial court system to address the growing demand for specialized resolution of commercial disputes in Bangladesh.

The proposal was unveiled on Sunday, August 17, during a seminar jointly organized by the Supreme Court and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where the Chief Justice delivered the keynote speech.

“Currently, Bangladesh lacks a dedicated judicial forum for commercial disputes. As a result, high-value commercial cases involving crores of taka are being processed alongside minor civil matters, which impedes the delivery of swift and effective justice,” the Chief Justice explained. He emphasized that this issue is not a reflection on the dedication of judges but rather a structural problem causing a growing backlog of cases. “By March 2025, over 25,000 cases remain unresolved in the Money Loan Courts alone,” he added.

Highlighting the urgent need for reform, Dr. Ahmed said the establishment of specialized commercial courts is a long-standing demand from all stakeholders — from major investors to small entrepreneurs, including domestic and foreign investors. He pointed to countries like Rwanda, India, and Pakistan, which have successfully set up commercial courts, creating efficient, transparent, and investment-friendly environments.

The Chief Justice also outlined seven key pillars for the proposed commercial court system: clearly defined and consolidated jurisdiction, financial thresholds with a tiered structure, mandatory case management with strict timelines, integrated mediation mechanisms, extensive use of technology (such as e-filing, digital case tracking, and hybrid hearings), equitable access to justice, and accountability with performance monitoring.

This initiative is expected to improve the efficiency of commercial dispute resolution and foster a more robust business and investment climate in Bangladesh.