Supreme court, UNDP push draft commercial court ordinance

Bangladesh advanced its legal framework as the Supreme Court and UNDP hosted a seminar on the Draft Commercial Court Ordinance 2025 in Sylhet.

The day-long event brought together Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, EU Ambassador Michel Miller, senior judges, government officials, business leaders, academics, and legal professionals to deliberate on the country's first dedicated commercial court system.

Justice Zafar Ahmed of the High Court Division emphasised the draft's key features, including summary judgments to discourage frivolous claims, a two-tier threshold system to improve access for SMEs, and structured settlement mechanisms. "The Draft Ordinance reflects a strong commitment to establishing a new covenant between commerce and justice, emphasising speed, efficiency and integrity," he said.

Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, attending as chief guest, described the draft as "an outstanding beginning" and a "powerful statement of intent" in addressing justice delays. "Commercial justice must be right on time, not just right. The Draft Ordinance lays the foundation for a judiciary that is efficient, expert, and trustworthy," he noted.

EU Ambassador Michel Miller reaffirmed European Union support for Bangladesh's judicial reforms, saying: "Establishing commercial courts is essential to strengthen Bangladesh's legal framework, attract investment, and support economic diversification. The EU stands ready to provide technical and peer support to ensure the Ordinance is practical, clear, and user-oriented."

UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller added: "By establishing Commercial Courts, Bangladesh has the opportunity to align its justice system with the needs of a modern, investment-driven economy. This sends a clear signal to both domestic and international markets that contract enforcement here is timely, fair, and reliable."

Earlier in the day, Judges Hasan Md Arifur Rahman and Ragib Mahtab presented a progress report on the draft, while barristers Tanim Hussain Shawon, Sameer Sattar, Syed Afzal Hasan Uddin, and Anita Ghazi Rahman discussed harmonising definitions, mediation processes, and SME accessibility.

Stakeholders, including business leaders, legal professionals, and government officials, described the initiative as a "pivotal step" towards moving from aspiration to action. They stressed the importance of harmonising laws, expanding access for small businesses, and aligning reforms with the Arbitration Act 2001.