In a historic move towards modernizing the judiciary, a High Court bench dedicated to company law matters is set to commence paper-free judicial proceedings from January 5. Initially scheduled for January 2, the launch was postponed as the Supreme Court (SC) activities were suspended in tribute to the late AF Hassan Ariff, former attorney general and adviser to the interim government.
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, who has been spearheading judicial reforms, aims to modernize the judiciary, eliminate harassment, and uphold transparency and integrity. This initiative aligns with his roadmap, which includes the gradual implementation of paper-free proceedings across all benches within the year.
Supreme Court spokesperson Md Shafikul Islam highlighted that an online platform for submitting documents has been developed under the supervision of the apex court. “This step marks a new chapter in the judicial history of Bangladesh,” he remarked.
Senior jurist Barrister Salauddin Dolan lauded the initiative, stating that it has sparked positive momentum and generated innovative ideas within the legal community.
The Chief Justice also emphasized combating corruption within the judiciary and ensuring public trust through transparency. The roadmap outlines various reforms, including establishing a separate judicial secretariat, forming an independent body for appointing apex court judges, and creating policies for the transfer and posting of subordinate court judges.
As part of the long-term vision, efforts are underway to implement e-judiciary across both the Supreme Court and district courts, signaling a transformative era for Bangladesh’s judicial system.
