Digital Dispatch to Expedite Civil Disputes: New Civil Procedure Act Amendments Approved
Summons in civil cases can now be served not only through traditional means but also via WhatsApp, email, and Messenger, marking a significant shift in Bangladesh’s legal procedures. The new provisions are expected to substantially reduce the time needed to resolve property-related disputes and other civil matters.
This announcement came on Tuesday (6 May) during a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul shared details of the reforms, alongside Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Youth and Sports and Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan.
Dr. Nazrul stated that the Civil Procedure Act (CPA) was given final approval earlier that morning during a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. “This is a highly significant piece of legislation,” he said. “In Bangladesh, civil suits used to drag on for years. We have introduced several changes. Previously, hearings could be postponed arbitrarily. That will no longer be allowed—hearings may now be deferred a maximum of four times.”
Highlighting procedural inefficiencies of the past, he said, “Petitions and written statements were often verbally presented in court, which sometimes took two to three years just to be heard. Now, we have mandated that written submissions need not be orally presented again.”
Dr. Nazrul also explained that a separate execution case was previously required to enforce civil verdicts. Under the revised law, this step has been eliminated, simplifying the process further. “We have introduced accessible procedures, including digital notification for summons. This reform will play a key role in accelerating civil case resolutions,” he added.
He continued, “Spending years to submit six or seven hearings or written petitions was nothing short of harassment. Now everything will be covered under one act. Previously, just issuing a summons took a great deal of time. With the inclusion of WhatsApp, email, and Messenger notifications, which we will record, the process will speed up significantly.”
Dr. Nazrul concluded with an optimistic forecast: “If a case previously took five years, now it might take two and a half; if it took two years, now it could be resolved in one.”
