Dhaka, 7 December 2025 – Bangladesh is on the brink of establishing dedicated Commercial Courts, a landmark reform that Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed says will open “a new horizon” for the country’s economy by ensuring fast, modern and transparent resolution of business disputes. Speaking at a seminar, the Chief Justice noted that the business community has long called for a specialised forum to resolve commercial cases efficiently—an aspiration that is now close to being realised. A Supreme Court research team drafted the initial version of the Commercial Courts Bill, which was later enriched through nationwide roadshows, in-depth consultations with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), input from business law experts, and feedback from commercial stakeholders. The Chief Justice highlighted that the European Union also provided significant technical support during the drafting process. After further review and refinement by the Law Ministry, the draft law has now received policy approval from the Cabinet, clearing the way for formal enactment. Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed explained that the draft law includes several modern and globally aligned features: a clear definition of commercial disputes; establishment of multiple specialised Commercial Courts; creation of a dedicated appellate bench in the High Court Division; mandatory mediation; limited adjournments; summary trials; transparent publication of case statistics; and specialised training programmes for judges and lawyers. These provisions, he noted, will significantly enhance the speed, efficiency and credibility of commercial adjudication, ultimately strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global economy. He emphasised, however, that “a law becomes effective only when it is properly implemented.” He called for sustained investment in court infrastructure, development of professional human resources, improvement of digital capabilities, and coordinated collaboration among all justice-sector stakeholders. The Supreme Court, he added, is ready to issue the necessary practice directions and guidelines to support the swift establishment and functioning of Commercial Courts. He urged the legal community and all justice actors to uphold integrity, discipline and competence in bringing the new law into effective practice. UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller delivered the welcome remarks. Distinguished guests included Olle Lundin of the Embassy of Sweden, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner Clinton Pook, Canada’s Ambassador Ajit Singh, Sweden’s Ambassador Nicolas Weeks, and EU Ambassador Michael Miller. Senior officials from the Supreme Court Secretariat, leaders of the Chattogram Bar Association, lawyers, and judicial officers from the region were also in attendance.
