SC attains administrative autonomy, commercial court to be formed soon: CJ

Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed has said that with the approval of the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance, long-standing dual administrative limitations have been removed, enabling the Supreme Court to achieve full administrative and financial autonomy for the first time. He said this autonomy will help the judiciary independently create posts, allocate budget, improve training and formulate policies, establishing judicial reforms in a long-term and sustainable manner.

The Chief Justice made these remarks on Saturday, December 6, at a seminar titled “Operationalising commercial court” held at the conference hall of Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View Hotel. The event was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Supreme Court and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He said, “The fundamental transformation that has taken place in the judicial system over the past one and a half years through constitutional clarity and collective efforts is a milestone in judicial history. This has paved the way for a new institutional era.”

The Chief Justice further said that setting up commercial courts will open a new horizon for the country’s economy. The business community had been seeking specialised courts for faster and modern settlement of commercial disputes, which will now soon become a reality.

In the second session of the seminar titled “National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025”, senior assistant secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Maruf Allam said that under the new law the Commission has now gained the authority to independently investigate allegations of human rights violations against all forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police. Previously, the Commission served only as an advisory body but has now been transformed into an effective investigating institution.

Speakers included Barrister Tanim Hossain Shawon, drafter of the ordinance, UNDP resident representative Romana Seowar and UNDP assistant resident representative Anwarul Haque.

Barrister Tanim Hossain Shawon said the new law has strengthened the Human Rights Commission. The law stipulates completion of preliminary inquiry within 30 days and investigation within 60 days. It also allows for financial penalties and authorises the Commission’s chairman or commissioners to conduct surprise visits at any organisation without prior permission.