Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury Takes Oath as 26th Chief Justice

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury officially took his oath of office today as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. 

The swearing-in ceremony took place at 10:35 am in the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban, where President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath. 

The event was witnessed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, along with advisers to the interim government, senior judges, the chiefs of the three services and prominent leaders from the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid conducted the proceedings, which followed a gazette notification issued by the Law Ministry on December 23. 

Justice Chowdhury was appointed by the President under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to succeed the 25th Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, who retired on Saturday upon reaching the age of 67.

A seasoned jurist with decades of experience, Justice Chowdhury began his legal career in 1985 at the District Judges' Court before being enrolled as an advocate in the High Court Division in 1987. 

His judicial ascent continued with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the High Court in 2003, followed by his confirmation as a permanent judge two years later. Most recently, on August 13, 2024, he was elevated to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Justice Chowdhury holds LLB (Hons) and LLM degrees from the University of Dhaka and a second Master’s degree in international law from the United Kingdom. 

Throughout his distinguished career, he has represented the Bangladeshi judiciary at numerous international forums and specialized training programs across the globe, including in Belgium, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. 

His father, late Justice A.F.M. Abdur Rahman Chowdhury, also served as a judge of the Supreme Court, marking a significant family legacy in the nation's highest legal circles.