Published: 12:04 AM, 17 May 2026
UK Law Society writes to Tarique Rahman over bar association polls
Following allegations of obstruction to candidacies and various irregularities in bar association elections across different districts of Bangladesh and in the Supreme Court Bar Association, the United Kingdom's The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed concern in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, different news agencies have reported. Earlier, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), Europe's leading lawyers' organization, had also sent a similar letter expressing concern.
The letter, signed by Mark Evans, President of The Law Society-which represents more than 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales-was sent last Wednesday. In the letter, the organization called for high-level intervention and necessary measures by the Bangladesh government to ensure the independence, safety, and self-governance of the legal profession. The sending of the letter was officially confirmed by Andrea Schweitzer, Junior Press Officer of The Law Society.
In a written statement, she said, "I can confirm that this letter is genuine and was officially issued on behalf of The Law Society."
She declined to make any further comments on the matter.
The election of the Supreme Court Bar Association was held on Wednesday and Thursday. Out of 11,097 voters, 4,048 cast their votes over the two days, resulting in a turnout rate of 36.48 percent.
In the Supreme Court Bar Association election, the nominations of around 40 candidates were cancelled. Allegations were raised that the candidacies were annulled on the grounds of alleged involvement with the Awami League and several of its affiliated organizations, against which organizational activities are currently banned.
>>Agency
