HC bench goes paperless, ushering in a new era
In a ground-breaking move towards modernising the judiciary, a High Court bench in Bangladesh has initiated paperless trials.
Justice Ahmed Sohel, presiding over the single company bench of the Supreme Court, described this transition as the beginning of a "new era" in the legal system.
The paperless trials officially began on Sunday, January 5, marking a significant step in the judiciary's digital transformation.
This move aligns with Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed’s vision of a modern and accessible judiciary, as outlined in the Supreme Court’s December 31, 2024, press release.
Chief Justice’s vision for 2025
The Chief Justice’s roadmap aims to make judicial services more accessible to the public through innovative practices, including digitisation. The introduction of paperless trials in company-related cases at the High Court is a key milestone in this plan.
Though the initiative was initially set to launch on January 2, proceedings were postponed to honour the passing of interim government advisor AF Hassan Ariff.
First day of paperless trials
On its inaugural day, two applications were submitted online, with 30 cases on the docket for hearing. Justice Ahmed Sohel encouraged lawyers to embrace the digital system, saying, “Gradually get used to it.” He reminded the court of the successful adaptation to online hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic, which initially seemed challenging but eventually became routine.
How it works: Filing cases online
The process of filing cases online involves:
Obtaining a password from the relevant section.
Creating a unique user ID.
Converting application documents into PDF format and uploading them using the ID.
Printing a copy of the uploaded page, preparing an affidavit, and submitting it alongside other necessary documents.
Once filed, cases are scheduled for hearings, which can occur in person or online as the system evolves.
Lawyers' adaptation and future prospects
Justice Sohel encouraged lawyers to familiarise themselves with the new system, referring them to instructional videos available on the Supreme Court’s website. He expressed optimism that the transition to paperless trials would eventually feel as natural as the shift to online hearings during the pandemic.
