Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed has emphasised the importance of extensive study and enhancing skills in the legal profession. He said that the legal profession is changing rapidly worldwide. Conventional legal practice is no longer sufficient; continuous training, proficiency in digital management, and acquiring ethical competence are now essential demands of the time to build a modern, effective, and people-centric judiciary.
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an event held at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Monday evening. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Bar Council on the occasion of the inauguration of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Advocates and the digital BLD platform of the Bangladesh Bar Council.
The chief justice said that Bangladesh’s legal and constitutional institutions are currently undergoing a well-planned transformation. Like other countries in the world, Bangladeshi lawyers must also prepare to handle digital transformation, global economic activities, information-based governance, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
The Chief Justice highlighted various reform initiatives taken in the last 16 months aimed at judicial branch reform. He stated that initiatives or reforms such as the Supreme Court Helpdesk, the helpdesk services launched in District and Sessions Judge Courts and Divisional Courts across the country, two paper-free benches of the High Court launched as pilot projects, digital case management, automated cause list management, the implementation of a fast-track case processing system, and paper-free family courts have increased access to justice. A transformative bar association is essential to support a reform-oriented judiciary.
The chief justice described the digital BLD platform as consistent with the digital development journey of the judiciary. He said it will play a significant role in training supervision, determining skill standards, and research. An informed Bar Council will enhance the stability and transparency of the legal profession.
He further stated that the CPD program for lawyers is highly timely and essential. When lawyers regularly update their knowledge, argument presentation improves, the judicial process becomes more transparent, court time is saved, and reduced court delays result from increased court capacity. A well-educated lawyer is not only an asset to the client but also a pillar of an effective justice system.
Regarding enhancing lawyers’ capacity to work in specialized courts, he said that proficiency must be acquired in contemporary areas such as commercial law, environmental law, digital and cyber law, family law, climate litigation, and international economic law.
Chaired by the Attorney General and Chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council, Advocate Md Asaduzzaman, the event was attended by the Vice Chairman of the Bar Council, Advocate Zainul Abedin, and the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and Chairman of the Bar Council’s Human Rights and Legal Aid Committee, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, as special guests.
The welcome address was delivered by the Secretary of the Bar Council, Muhammad Kamal Hossain Dikdar. The event was conducted by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Bar Council, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol.
