A national seminar titled “Establishing Commercial Courts: Shaping the Draft Commercial Court Ordinance” was held on Sunday morning at The Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The event unfolded over two sessions, with the plenary session commencing at 12:30pm.

The chief guest at the plenary session was the Chief Justice (CJ) of Bangladesh, Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, who announced a significant proposal for the establishment of dedicated commercial courts to meet the country’s evolving economic realities and the growing demand for specialised judicial forums.

In his address, the CJ noted that Bangladesh currently lacks a separate judicial platform for resolving commercial disputes, meaning cases involving large sums are being processed alongside ordinary civil suits. “This is not a critique of our judges, whose dedication is beyond question,” he said. “Rather, it is a structural inefficiency that contributes to case backlogs and hampers both business relationships and the investment climate.”

Justice Ahmed emphasised that the call for specialised commercial courts is not a solitary voice, but a long-standing demand echoed by domestic and foreign investors, small entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders alike. He pointed to global precedents in countries like Rwanda, India, and Pakistan, which have established commercial courts to foster transparent, efficient, and investment-friendly legal environments—models from which Bangladesh can draw valuable lessons.

The Chief Justice outlined seven foundational pillars for the proposed commercial court system. The seven pillars are clear and consolidated jurisdiction, defined financial thresholds and tiered structure, mandatory case management with strict timelines, integrated mediation mechanisms, maximum use of technology (e.g., e-filing, digital tracking, hybrid hearings), equitable access to justice for all, and rigorous accountability and performance monitoring.

He assured that, once established, these courts would be fully functional, transparent, and adaptive to the dynamic needs of commerce. Judges would receive specialised training, and the system would leverage the advantages of Bangladesh’s mixed legal heritage—combining civil and common law traditions. Additionally, annual performance reports would ensure transparency and accountability.

“This is more than just a new court structure—it is the foundation for economic justice,” the Chief Justice remarked. “Today, we collectively commit to moving in that direction,” he added.

The plenary session opened with welcoming remarks from Sylhet’s Senior District and Sessions Judge, Sheikh Ashfaqul Rahman. Other notable speakers included the Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, HE Michael Miller; UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller; and the session’s chair, Honourable Justice Zafar Ahmed of the High Court Division.

Among others, representatives from the US Embassy, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), senior officials from the Supreme Court Registry, distinguished members of the legal community, and judicial officers from Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj were also present.

The presence of judicial officers was facilitated through an official directive issued on 13 August 2025 by the Training Branch of the Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, upon consultation with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.