The Anti-Discrimination Legal Forum (ADLF), in collaboration with the Department of Law, North South University, successfully organized a vibrant and insightful event titled “Expected Reforms in the Bench and Bar” on 27 November 2024 at the Moot Court Room of North South University. The event brought together distinguished legal professionals, academics, and students to discuss necessary reforms in the judicial system, focusing on both the bench and the bar.
The session featured a panel of esteemed speakers:
Muhammad Imman Ali, Former Judge of the Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, shared his extensive experience, highlighting the need for structural reforms, specialized training for lawyers and judges, the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to address case backlogs, and the importance of ensuring judicial independence and efficiency.
Barrister Tanim Hussain Shawon, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Member of the Judiciary Reform Commission, outlined actionable recommendations for modernizing judicial practices, ensuring transparency in the judicial appointment process, and upholding legal ethics among practitioners.
Barrister Rashna Imam, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of advancing legal education in Bangladesh and called for the inclusion of opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and experience.
Barrister Anita Ghazi Rahman, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of lawyers’ etiquette and the need to uphold professional ethics and standards.
Ayesha Akhter, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Legal Specialist at BLAST, emphasized the importance of modernizing the court proceeding through the integration of technology.
The session commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Md. Rizwanul Islam, Professor and Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at North South University. He applauded the initiative as a significant step in fostering critical discussions on judicial reforms.
Mr. Nafiul Alam Shupto, chief-coordinator of ADLF, highlighted the importance of hosting discussions of this nature during Bangladesh’s current transitional period and highlighted how they could positively impact the country’s legal ecosystem.
Dr. Ishtiaque Ahmed, MCIArb, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department of Law, North South University, chaired the session, and Advocate Squib Rahman, Senior Lecturer, North South University moderated the session.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, academics, and professionals in the legal field. The discussions culminated in a consensus on the urgency of reforms to uphold justice and ensure the judiciary remains adaptable to societal needs. The key takeaways emphasized the importance of judicial training, effective management of case backlogs, and maintaining impartiality by avoiding political bias.
ADLF and the Department of Law at North South University extend their heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished speakers and participants for making the event a resounding success. The forum remains committed to initiating similar dialogues to address critical issues and drive positive change in Bangladesh’s legal system.
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