Judicial Reform: SC approves new ordinance draft
Staff Reporter :
The draft of the Supreme Court (SC) Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025 has been approved in principle and confirmed. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Public Relations Officer of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, announced this development on Saturday.
He stated that the draft ordinance had been approved in principle and finalised during a meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government held on Friday (17 January). The draft is expected to undergo routine vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division before finalisation.
He remarked, “The phased implementation of the judicial reform roadmap announced by the Chief Justice will ensure transparency in the judicial process and uphold justice.”
The Public Relations Officer also noted, “Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, undertook various measures to enhance the standards of the judiciary immediately upon assuming office.
As part of this initiative, he announced a roadmap for modernising the judiciary on 21 September in the Supreme Court’s inner courtyard.
This event was attended by the interim government’s legal adviser, judges of both Supreme Court divisions, the Attorney General of Bangladesh, and judges from district courts across the country.”
He added that the roadmap emphasised the establishment of an independent Judicial Appointment Council to oversee appointments to the higher courts.
Chief Justice Ahmed also called on the interim government to enact the necessary legislation to implement this reform.
Following this, on 28 October, the Supreme Court submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. This proposal was based on extensive research into laws, regulations, court rulings, and practices concerning judicial appointments in higher courts across various countries.
Subsequently, during the Advisory Council’s meeting on Friday (17 January), the draft of the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025 was approved in principle and confirmed.