Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury assumed office as Chief Justice

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury has officially assumed office as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, marking a significant moment in the country’s judicial history.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at Bangabhaban on Sunday at 10:35 a.m., where President Md. Shahabuddin administered the oath of office. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar.

Justice Chowdhury’s appointment was formalised earlier on 23 December when the Ministry of Law issued a notification under the President’s directive. Exercising powers under Article 95(1) of the Constitution, the President appointed him as Chief Justice, with the appointment taking immediate effect from the day of the oath-taking.

The outgoing Chief Justice, Syed Refaat Ahmed, retired on Saturday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 67, concluding his tenure with commendable service to the judiciary.

Justice Chowdhury brings decades of distinguished experience to the highest judicial office. His legal career commenced in 1985 as a district judge and in 1987 he was enrolled as a lawyer in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. He was appointed an Additional Judge of the High Court Division on 27 August 2003 and became a permanent judge two years later. His elevation to the Appellate Division came on 12 August 2024.

Educated at Dhaka University, Justice Chowdhury earned both his LLB (Honours) and LLM degrees before pursuing a postgraduate degree in International Law in the United Kingdom, further enhancing his expertise in global legal frameworks.

A summary of his career trajectory is provided below:

Justice Chowdhury is widely recognised for his profound legal knowledge, dedication to judicial integrity, and commitment to upholding the rule of law. His appointment is expected to bring continuity and stability to the judiciary, as well as strengthen public confidence in the nation’s legal system.