A new chapter has begun in the process of appointing judges to the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, as oral interviews have been conducted for the first time in the country’s history.
The interviews took place on Friday, 18 July, from 10am until the evening. A total of 53 lawyers, shortlisted for final consideration, participated in the process overseen by the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council, chaired by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed.
This marks a departure from previous practices, where appointments to the Supreme Court were widely perceived to be driven by political influence and personal recommendations. For the first time, the Supreme Court administration issued a public notice inviting applications for the position of judge.
The notice, published on 28 May, drew more than 300 applications. Following scrutiny and selection procedures, the Judicial Appointment Council finalised a list of 53 candidates for the oral interviews.
The appointment process is being conducted under the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025.
Under the ordinance, the five-member council comprises the Chief Justice as chairperson, the most senior judge of the Appellate Division, the most senior judge of the High Court Division from outside the judicial cadre, the most senior High Court judge from within the judicial cadre, and the Attorney General of Bangladesh.
Officials said this initiative aims to ensure transparency, merit-based selection and restore public trust in the judiciary.