Nearly all major reforms outlined in chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed鈥檚 roadmap to reform the judiciary a year ago have been implemented, Supreme Court officials said.
Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, who took office as the country鈥檚 25th chief justice on August 11, 2024, unveiled the roadmap on September 21, 2024 before judges from across the country, outlining a plan to restore public confidence in the judiciary.
Four months after the roadmap, the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025 was promulgated on January 21, 2025, establishing a seven-member Supreme Judicial Appointment Council.
The Council, led by the chief justice, ensured appointments of 25 additional High Court judges based on merit, integrity, and transparency, according to a press release issued by SC public relations officer Mohammad Shafiqul Islam on Saturday.
The Supreme Court鈥檚 administration said that a draft law for a separate secretariat in the SC compound was submitted to the law ministry, aiming at ending dual administrative control.
The High Court on September 2, 2025 directed the government to establish the secretariat within three months and it is now under the government鈥檚 active consideration, according to the SC administration.
A 12-point directive issued in September 2024 is now being implemented through regular monitoring meetings, leading to improved accountability in court services.
Two High Court benches have begun paperless operations, with plans to expand.
Over 3,000 calls have been received through the Supreme Court helpline, which now operates nationwide. The helpline began its journey on September 25, 2024.
Legal Aid lawyers are now automatically appointed for unrepresented accused in subordinate courts, following a directive from the chief justice and enforcement by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation.
The outdated 2007 rules were replaced by the Bangladesh Judicial Service Formation Rules, 2025, streamlining recruitment and service management.
A government gazette was issued on September 18, 2025, to structurally separate civil and criminal courts at the district level.
Under the new rules, 232 new posts have been created in subordinate courts to help reduce case backlogs. Recruitment for tribunals and metropolitan courts is ongoing.
The reactivated Supreme Judicial Council investigated several judges. Some of them resigned, others were removed, and four more are currently under review.
Efforts are underway to secure a 30 per cent judicial allowance and interest-free vehicle loans for judges.
Courts across the country, including remote Chowki Courts, are receiving new computers. Since August 2024, 400 desktops and 120 laptops have been distributed to district courts.
The SC press release said that, as the roadmap nears full execution, the judiciary was being reshaped into a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused institution.
