Supreme Court Lawyer in Bangladesh or Supreme Court Bar Association
Supreme Court Lawyer in Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association issued a statement expressing concern over the construction of Farakka Barrage by India near the border and preventing the flow of water to Bangladesh in February 1976.
On 2 March 2005, Chief Justice of Bangladesh J. R. Mudassir Husain and other judges of the Supreme Court boycotted the break-up party of the association.
In October 2017 the association expressed concern over the sudden leave of Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha. According to President Advocate Zainul Abedin they failed in their attempt to meet Sinha which his described as alarming.
In April 2020 association started providing interest free loans to lawyers facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
On 10 November 2020 association sent a letter to the Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain requesting mediation in a dispute between judges and lawyers. Two lawyers, Syed Sayedul Haque Suman and Ishrat Hasan, had appeared before the chief justice and according to them were treated with “discourteous behaviour” about which they posted on Facebook. Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore and Justice Mohammad Ullah issued a contempt of court ruling against them over the Facebook posts.
On 13 March 2021, Abdul Matin Khasru, Member of Parliament and former Minister, was elected President of the association. After the death of Abdul Matin Khasru, in a Special General Meeting held on 04.05.2021 A. M. Amin-Uddin, Senior Advocate has been elected as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association for the third time.
Language for Supreme Court Lawyer in Bangladesh
Although Bengali is the only state language of Bangladesh in accordance with the article 3 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, the verdicts given by the judges at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh are frequently in English following the colonial tradition of the British rule, violating the Bengali Language Implementation Act, 1987. Sheikh Hasina, the incumbent and longest serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, suggested that the judges should deliver their verdicts in Bengali so that every Bangladeshi can read them, and, later on if need be, the verdicts could be translated into English.
Responsibilities of a Supreme Court Lawyer:
Representation: Supreme Court lawyers represent clients in cases brought before the highest court of the land. They serve as legal advocates, presenting arguments, and defending their clients’ interests with expertise and diligence.
Legal Consultation: Offering legal advice and consultation to clients regarding their rights, responsibilities, and legal options. This often involves thorough analysis and interpretation of laws and precedents.
Appellate Work: Handling appeals from lower courts and presenting arguments for reconsideration or reversal of previous judgments.
Constitutional Matters: Dealing with cases involving constitutional law, fundamental rights, and interpretation of the constitution itself.
Qualifications and Skills:
Legal Education: Supreme Court lawyers in Bangladesh must possess a law degree from a recognized university or institution.
Experience: Building experience through practice in lower courts and gradually progressing to handling cases in the Supreme Court.
Analytical Skills: Proficiency in legal research, analysis, and interpretation of statutes, case law, and constitutional provisions.
Oratory Skills: Effective communication skills, both written and oral, are essential for presenting arguments convincingly before the court.
Ethical Conduct: Upholding ethical standards and professional integrity while representing clients and dealing with sensitive legal matters.
Significance of Supreme Court Lawyers:
Protectors of Rights: They serve as advocates for individuals and entities, safeguarding their rights, liberties, and interests through legal means.
Controversy
Former Chief Justice Mohammad Fazlul Karim withheld the oath taking of Justice Md. Ruhul Quddus (Babu) as he was involved in the murder of Aaslam, a pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh student of Rajshahi University, on 17 November 1988, when he was a leader of Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), and Justice Mohammad Khosruzzaman was overtly involved in contempt of court on 30 November 2006.
Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, an appellate division judge, first ever among these judges, resigned on 12 May 2011 due to supersession, as he was presumed to be the Chief Justice of Bangladesh on 18 May 2011.
Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq resigned from the post of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 chairman on 11 December 2012 amid controversy for holding Skype conversations with an expatriate Bangladeshi legal expert based in Belgium.
President of Bangladesh ordered for formation of a Supreme Judicial Council to investigate alleged misconduct of High Court judge Justice Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan after he distributed copies of a 17 February The Daily Inqilab report, termed slain (on 15 February 2013) 2013 Shahbag protests activist and blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider was a moortad (heretic), among the justices of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Justice A B M Altaf Hossain was not confirmed as a permanent justice on 12 June 2014 despite recommendation from the Chief Justice of Bangladesh. So he has served legal notices to the top bureaucrats of Bangladesh government to reinstate him within 72 hours.