Judiciary reform: Speedy case disposal, cutting litigation costs in focus

The Judiciary Reform Commission is prioritising the reduction of case backlogs and lowering litigation costs at trial courts, as well as formulating guidelines for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court, said Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, who is spearheading the commission.

"The commission has yet to receive a specified guideline from the interim government, but our preliminary discussions and studies have led to the decision to concentrate on the well-being of the people," he said while briefing reporters after the commission's second meeting at the Judicial Administration Training Institute in Dhaka today.

The independence of the judiciary is not possible without the cooperation of two other state organs – the executive and legislative branches, he said.

Justice Rahman, also a retired judge of the Appellate Division, stated that the three branches of the state must work together in harmony because the government implements the judgements delivered by courts.

He went on to say, "A country cannot function without a judiciary. However, everyone must listen to the judiciary. We want to ensure that there is no interference."

He mentioned that they will propose measures to prevent the executive from interfering with the judiciary. If someone is dissatisfied with a judgement, they have the right to appeal. After all, it's impossible to please both parties in a judgement.

The reform commission chief further stated that they would formulate a policy for appointing judges to both divisions of the country's apex court.

"We will create this policy to prevent situations where someone comes and says, 'So and so is my uncle; you have to make him a judge,'" he added.

Justice Rahman further noted that the reform commission would prepare a report after consulting with stakeholders in lower courts, the media, the judiciary, and the Supreme Court and district court bar associations.

"However, we will not hold meetings with any political party to seek their opinions. We will make recommendations. The advisory council might discuss these recommendations with political parties," he added.

Commission members retired High Court judges Justice Emdadul Haque and Justice Farid Ahmed Shibli; former Supreme Court registrar general Syed Aminul Islam; former district and sessions judge Masdar Hossain; senior Supreme Court lawyer Tanim Hussain Shaon; and Associate Professor Kazi Mahfuzul Haque Supan of Dhaka University's law department attended yesterday's meeting.

The commission is scheduled to hold its third meeting next Monday.

Through a gazette notification on 3 October, the government constituted the Judiciary Reform Commission to carry out necessary reforms to make the judiciary free, neutral, and effective. The commission held its first meeting at the same venue on 6 October.