E-Family Court launched in Chattogram

In a landmark move to modernize the judiciary and enhance access to justice, the first "e-Family Court" has been inaugurated in Chittagong. This digital initiative will allow litigants to submit applications, provide evidence, and access all case-related information from the comfort of their homes, significantly reducing physical hassle and travel.

The e-family court was officially launched on Sunday, November 30, at the Chittagong District Bar Association auditorium in the Kotwali area of the city. Law and Justice Division Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Liaquet Ali Molla, inaugurated the facility. 

Speaking at the event, he said, ‘The e-family court is a revolutionary initiative aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by litigants.’

‘From filing cases to managing daily proceedings, everything can now be done online,’ he also said.

Key Benefits of the Paperless Court
In his inaugural address, Secretary Molla described the e-Family Court as a major step toward reducing the suffering of justice-seekers nationwide.

He stated that case applications, daily proceedings, and all activities will now be managed online using digital technology, eliminating the use of paper. 

This transition will mitigate the risk of losing physical case files and ensure quicker, more transparent judicial processes.

Litigants will be able to track the progress and outcomes of their cases remotely.

All case-related updates will also be communicated to the parties via SMS notifications.

Online Access and Security
The Secretary detailed the features available on the court's dedicated website. These include facilities for case registration, selection of lawyers, document uploading, and online attendance.

Crucially, the system will allow justice-seekers to file and manage cases from any location. Identity verification will be secured through OTP (One-Time Password) verification, ensuring data integrity and security.

Relief for Lawyers and Litigants
Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, the Public Prosecutor of the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Court, pointed out a significant benefit: "In the old system, case files were often lost. In the E-Family Court, all documents will be securely stored online." He believes this will alleviate the suffering of both lawyers and litigants.

Advocate Abdus Sattar, President of the Chittagong District Bar Association, emphasized the 'paperless' nature of the court. He expressed confidence that with the right technology and software, the judicial process will become faster, more transparent, and hassle-free, leading to the quicker resolution of long-standing family disputes.

Scope of the E-Family Court
The e-family court will handle five types of cases: divorce, restoration of marital rights, dower (den mohar), maintenance, and child custody and guardianship. 

The establishment of this E-Family Court marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s ongoing journey toward a digitally empowered judiciary.

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