British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke met with Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, at the office of the Chief Justice in Dhaka. Photo: British High Commission Facebook

 
DHAKA, Aug 19, 2025 (BSS) - British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice of Bangladesh Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.
 
The meeting was held at the office of the Chief Justice here.
 
During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed various aspects regarding the judiciary.
 
The Chief Justice highlighted the various steps he has taken to develop the judiciary of Bangladesh in the past one year.
 
Public Relations Officer of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh Md. Shafiqul Islam confirmed the BSS of the meeting.
 
The British High Commissioner congratulated the Chief Justice on his one-year tenure.
 
She highly appreciated the efforts and work plan of the Chief Justice to achieve institutional independence of the judiciary of Bangladesh in the past one year.
 
The Chief Justice announced a roadmap for judicial reform to establish a strong, independent and impartial judiciary alongside issuing 12-point instructions to bring transparency in the provision of judicial services and introducing a capacity test to provide legal aid to the defendants in cases.
 
The Chief Justice also took initiatives to formulate a law for the appointment of judges to the apex court through the Supreme Judicial Council alongside launching a Supreme Court helpline for trial seekers, and taking various developmental activities to increase the capacity of subordinate courts as effective and timely steps.
 
The British High Commissioner expressed hope that the strong leadership of the current Chief Justice of Bangladesh will play an important role in establishing good governance and ensuring justice in the country in the coming days.
 
In addition, Sarah Cooke assured that the UK will provide all-out support to Bangladesh in establishing a strong judiciary in Bangladesh.