Commercial court ordinance issued

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has signed the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026, a landmark move for speedy, efficient, and transparent adjudication for commercial disputes.

The gazette, issued on Thursday night, said the ordinance would come into effect immediately.

Analysts say this initiative is a major step in improving the judicial infrastructure for commerce, a longstanding demand from both domestic and foreign investors.

Under the ordinance, the required number of commercial courts will be established at the district level to exclusively handle commercial disputes, ensuring their speedy resolution.

The appropriate authority will determine the number and territorial jurisdiction of these courts in consultation with the Supreme Court and may adjust this jurisdiction over time as needed.

The judges of the commercial courts will be appointed from among district judges and additional district judges of the Bangladesh Judicial Service, with due preference given to those possessing advanced qualifications in commercial law or demonstrable experience in adjudicating commercial disputes.

The commercial courts will conclude the trial of a dispute within 90 days from the date it is taken up for final hearing.

The chief justice of Bangladesh will constitute one or more commercial appellate benches in the High Court Division to hear appeals and revision petitions against judgments or orders issued by the commercial courts.

These courts will have the authority to hear and dispose of all commercial suits and applications within their territorial jurisdiction.

However, where other laws limit or exclude civil court jurisdiction, commercial courts will not adjudicate such matters.

According to the ordinance, the commercial courts will adjudicate at least 24 types of commercial disputes, including those involving banks, financial institutions, and insurance.

Disputes over general transactions of businessmen, bankers, financial institutions, and merchants, including the execution and interpretation of commercial documents; export or import of goods or services; transactions relating to aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft equipment, and helicopters, including their sale, lease, and financing; transportation of goods; and construction and infrastructure contracts, including tenders, will also be tried in the commercial courts.

Apart from this, the Supreme Court Secretariat may specify any other commercial disputes under the commercial courts' jurisdiction from time to time by notification, according to the ordinance.

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