B Mirror Desk: The Amar Bangladesh Party praised the government for its recent “Judicial Appointment Ordinance 2025” but highlighted that it is insufficient to address the systemic backlog of over 4 million pending cases and ensure justice for all. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s central office, Zubair Ahmed Bhuiyan, a barrister-at-law and Joint General Secretary, provided detailed evaluations and recommendations. Asaduzzaman Fuaad, a barrister-at-law and General Secretary of the AB Party, also recalled the 15 point judicial regime announced early October 2024.
Key Highlights:
1.Recognition of Reform Efforts
•AB Party welcomed the Judicial Appointment Ordinance, which aims to bring transparency and accountability to appointing judges to higher courts.
•The party also appreciated recent proposals for a separate Supreme Court Secretariat and a permanent attorney service.
2.Call for Broader Reforms
•Lower Courts: Suggested a minimum 5 years of legal experience for judicial appointments to lower courts, arguing that the current process lacks adequate practical requirements.
•Advocated for the inclusion of public representatives in the judicial appointment process to balance legal perspectives with public interests.
•Proposed increasing quorum members for appellate division appointments from 2 to 5.
3.Addressing Case Backlogs
•Emphasized resolving the 4 million pending cases by introducing:
•Time limits for appeals,
•Mandatory alternative dispute resolution mechanisms down to union and sub-district levels,
•Allocation of litigation costs to the losing party, and
•A Criminal Case Review Commission to tackle false and frivolous cases.
4.Concerns Over Political Influence in Courts
•Advocated for banning political rallies, banners, and slogans within court premises to uphold judicial dignity.
•Suggested separating bar associations from court campuses to prevent undue political interference.
5.Criticism of Limitations in Current Reforms
•The party warned that the proposed age limit for judicial appointments could face constitutional challenges and stressed prioritizing merit, integrity, and experience.
•Highlighted the need for courts to focus on investigation-driven criminal justice rather than police dominance.
6.Long-Term Vision
•AB Party reiterated the need for sustained reforms in judicial behavior, service ethics, and administrative efficiency to ensure the justice system aligns with public expectations.
