Chief Justice to deliver farewell address on Dec 14

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed will deliver his farewell speech to the judges of Bangladesh on December 14, ahead of his retirement later the same month. He is set to retire on December 27 upon reaching the retirement age of 67, the maximum age for serving in the role of Chief Justice, UNB reports.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court said in a media statement on Thursday that this will be his final address to judicial officers across the country before stepping down.

A major session has been scheduled at 3:00 pm at the Supreme Court auditorium. Senior judicial officers from district courts nationwide are expected to attend, including all district judges, metropolitan sessions judges, chief judicial magistrates, and chief metropolitan magistrates.

In his farewell address, the Chief Justice will highlight the roadmap for judicial reform and overall development, the initiatives undertaken over the past one and a half years, and the future prospects.

He is expected to provide important guidelines for ongoing reform activities, including the expansion of technology-based services, professional skill development of judicial officers, ensuring transparency in court operations, enhancing the capacity of subordinate court judges, improving access to justice, and addressing the backlog of cases.

Syed Refaat assumed office as Bangladesh's 25th Chief Justice following the July Uprising of 2024.