Chief Justice Urges Lawyers to Embrace AI and Digital Transformation
Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has called on Bangladeshi lawyers to prepare for the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its associated changes. Earlier, on Thursday, 13 February, at the 2025 World Regulatory Forum of the Global Government Summit held in Dubai, UAE, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed emphasized the need to be newly equipped to tackle various ethical and legal challenges arising from AI use.
Reiterating the same point, he delivered the call during his keynote address on Monday, 24 November, in the evening at the Supreme Court Auditorium. The event was organized on the occasion of the launch of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Advocates and the Digital BLD Platform of the Bangladesh Bar Council’s online system.
Highlighting the importance of rigorous study and skill enhancement in the legal profession, the Chief Justice noted that rapid changes are occurring in the global legal landscape. Traditional legal practices are no longer sufficient; the demand of the time is continuous training, proficiency in digital systems, and ethical competence to build a modern, effective, and people-centered judiciary.
He added that Bangladesh’s legal and constitutional institutions are currently progressing through well-planned transformations. Like other countries, lawyers in Bangladesh must prepare for digital transformation, global economic activity, information-based governance, and the rising use of artificial intelligence.
The Chief Justice also highlighted several judicial reform initiatives undertaken over the past 16 months aimed at improving access to justice, including: the Supreme Court Helpdesk, helpline services at district and sessions courts and divisional courts, pilot projects with two paper-free benches in the High Court, digital case complaint management, automated cause list management, fast-track case processing systems, and paper-free family courts.
He stressed that a transformative bar association is essential to support a reform-oriented judiciary.
The event was presided over by Attorney General and Bangladesh Bar Council Chairman Advocate Md. Asaduzzaman and conducted by Bar Council Executive Committee Chairman Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol. Special guests included Bar Council Vice Chairman Advocate Zainul Abedin and Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association President and Chairman of the Bar Council’s Human Rights and Legal Aid Committee Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon. Welcome remarks were delivered by Bar Council Secretary (District & Sessions Judge) Muhammad Kamal Hossain Shikdar.
Referring to the Digital BLD platform as aligned with the judiciary’s digital development journey, Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed stated that it would play a significant role in training oversight, determining skill standards, and research. An information-rich Bar Council will enhance the stability and transparency of the legal profession.
He said that the CPD programs for lawyers are timely and essential. Regularly updating their knowledge enables lawyers to present arguments better, makes judicial processes more transparent, saves court time, enhances court efficiency, and reduces delays in adjudication. A well-educated lawyer is not only a resource for clients but also a key pillar of an effective judicial system.
On increasing lawyers’ competence in specialized courts, the Chief Justice emphasized the need to gain expertise in contemporary areas such as commercial law, environmental law, digital and cyber law, family law, climate litigation, and international economic law.
DBTech/Janibani/IH/OR
