We are marching towards a new Bangladesh based on people's aspirations: Chief justice

There is no alternative to the rule of law for ensuring justice at all levels of society, said Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed. 

He made these remarks during a reception hosted by the Barishal District Lawyers' Association last night (30 September), at the Annex building auditorium.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Justice said, "There is no shortcut to success in the legal profession. To reach the pinnacle of success in law, one must possess dedication, honesty, patience, and hard work."

He urged lawyers to keep themselves updated with the latest amendments to the law, emphasising that learning has no end for a legal professional. 

"Lawyers and judges together form the judiciary. They complement each other in establishing justice, not oppose each other. As court officers, the primary duty of lawyers is to assist the court in upholding justice by showing full respect to the rules and regulations of the court," he said. 

"It is our collective responsibility to maintain the honor of the judiciary and ensure that no activities tarnish its image," he added. 

Recalling the sacrifices made during the July-August uprising, Justice Ahmed paid tribute to the martyrs of the movement, stating, "The people will forever remember those who sacrificed their lives during the students' mass uprising. I express my gratitude to the brave students and citizens who stood up for a free and just Bangladesh, facing bullets with courage."

He also praised the performance of judges in Barishal, mentioning that 47 judges have resolved 100% of the cases filed in various courts in the district. 

According to statistics, 8,936 cases have been disposed of against 8,924 civil and criminal cases filed this year. 

"This proves that, despite obstacles, we are steadily marching towards a new Bangladesh based on the aspirations of the people, with judges fulfilling their responsibilities with dedication and trust," he said.

Chief Justice Ahmed further lauded the Barishal District Lawyers' Association for their consistent activism in establishing justice and protecting the rights of the people.

Highlighting the need for judicial reforms, he said, "We need to reshape the judiciary to reduce both time and costs for litigants, ensuring that they don't have to come to court repeatedly. However, this is not solely dependent on the judges; lawyers also need to provide their full cooperation."

The Chief Justice also mentioned the proposal for establishing a separate judicial secretariat to strengthen the independence of the judiciary. 

"We will soon submit this proposal to the Ministry of Law from the Supreme Court," he informed the audience.