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Banking Digest · Legal Primer
The Architecture of Justice
Every recovery suit, every writ, every appeal in Bangladesh moves through a structure built in layers. Tap a tier below to walk through it — from the Supreme Court at the apex down to the specialised tribunals that handle loan recovery, cybercrime, and labour disputes.
Article 94
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
The apex of the judiciary, split into two divisions with distinct roles — one hears appeals from below, the other exercises original and supervisory power.
Appellate Division
Governed by Article 103Appeals as of right
- The High Court Division certifies a substantial constitutional question
- A death sentence or life imprisonment is confirmed or imposed
- Punishment is imposed for contempt of court
- Any other case provided for by an Act of Parliament
When leave to appeal is required
If none of the above grounds apply, a party must first obtain leave to appeal from the Appellate Division itself before the case can be heard.
Extended jurisdiction
Parliament holds the power to extend Article 103's application to other courts or tribunals beyond the High Court Division.
High Court Division
Original, appellate & supervisoryOriginal jurisdiction
Writ petitions, company matters, and admiralty cases are filed directly here.
Appellate & revisional jurisdiction
Hears appeals and revisions from District Judges, Joint District Judges, Sessions Judges, Special Tribunals, Special Judges, Artha Rin Adalats, Druta Bichar Tribunals, and Bankruptcy Courts.
Contempt jurisdiction
The Division independently hears and decides matters of contempt of court.
Hierarchy by claim value
Civil Courts
Below the Supreme Court, civil disputes are routed by the value of the claim. Tap any rung to see what it hears.
District Judge Courtup to ৳5 crore
- Revisional jurisdiction over subordinate courts
- Civil appeals with valuation up to 5 crore Taka
- Probate matters
Additional District Judge Courtby transfer
Tries cases specifically transferred to it by the District Judge.
Joint District Judge Court৳25 lakh – unlimited
- Original jurisdiction over civil suits valued from 25 lakh Taka upward, without ceiling
- Succession matters
- Revision and appeal cases transferred by the District Judge
Senior Assistant Judge Court৳15–25 lakh
Civil suits valued between 15 lakh and 25 lakh Taka.
Assistant Judge Courtbelow ৳15 lakh
Civil suits valued below 15 lakh Taka.
Small Causes Courtup to ৳25,000
Civil suits not exceeding 25,000 Taka.
Family Courtstatus matters
- Dissolution of marriage
- Dower
- Custody and guardianship
- Restitution of conjugal rights
- Maintenance
Two arms
Criminal Courts
Criminal matters split between the Court of Sessions and the Magistrate Courts, each mirrored across metropolitan and general areas.
| General Division | Metropolitan Area |
|---|---|
| Sessions Judge | Metropolitan Sessions Judge |
| Additional Sessions Judge | Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge |
| Assistant Sessions Judge | Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge |
| Court | Authority |
|---|---|
| Sessions / Additional Sessions Judge | Any sentence authorised by law — a death sentence still requires High Court Division confirmation |
| Joint Sessions Judge | Any lawful sentence except death, transportation beyond 10 years, or imprisonment beyond 10 years |
| Metropolitan Area | Non-Metropolitan Area |
|---|---|
| Chief Metropolitan Magistrate | Chief Judicial Magistrate |
| Additional Metropolitan Magistrate | Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate |
| Metropolitan Magistrate | Magistrate (1st Class) |
| — | Magistrate (2nd Class) |
| — | Magistrate (3rd Class) |
| Class | Imprisonment | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Class / Metropolitan | 5 years | ৳10,000 |
| 2nd Class | 3 years | ৳5,000 |
| 3rd Class | 2 years | ৳2,000 |
By statute, not geography
Special Courts & Tribunals
Each of these exists to enforce one specific law. For Banking Digest readers, the Artha Rin Adalat — the forum for loan recovery suits by banks and financial institutions — is the one to know first. Search the list below.
⌕
| Tribunal / Court | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Artha Rin AdalatLoan recovery | Loan recovery suits by banks and financial institutions |
| Nari-O-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal | Offences under Nari-O-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain, 2000 |
| Druto Bichar Tribunal | Offences under Druto Bichar Tribunal Ain, 2002 |
| Druto Bichar Adalat | Offences under Ain Shrinkhola Bighnokari Aporadh (Druto Bichar) Ain, 2002 |
| Special Tribunal | Offences under the Special Powers Act, 1974 |
| Administrative Tribunal | Service disputes of government employees |
| Administrative Appellate Tribunal | Appeals from the Administrative Tribunal — heard by a Chairman and two members |
| Labour Court | Commercial and industrial employment disputes |
| Labour Appellate Tribunal | Appeals from Labour Court decisions |
| Taxes Appellate Tribunal | Appeals from Appellate Joint Commissioner / Commissioner (Appeal) orders |
| Customs, Excise & VAT Appellate Tribunal | Appeals from Commissioner / Commissioner (Appeal) decisions |
| Special Judge Court | Offences under the Anti Corruption Act, 1957 and Criminal Laws Amendment Act, 1958 |
| Land Survey Tribunal | Land survey disputes under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950 |
| Marine Court | Marine accident cases and vessel defects under the Merchant Shipping & Inland Shipping Ordinances |
| Court of Settlement | Abandoned buildings under the Abandoned Buildings Ordinance, 1985 — no appeal lies |
| Cyber Tribunal | Cybercrime cases |
| Court of Environment | Environment-related issues |
| Court of Environment Appeal | Appeals from the Court of Environment |
| Special Tribunal, SEC | Securities and exchange-related cases |
| Forest Court | Offences under the Forest Act, 1927 committed inside forests |
Beyond the ordinary hierarchy
International Crimes Tribunal
A tribunal of its own, sitting outside the regular court ladder, with jurisdiction over:
- Crimes against humanity
- Crimes against peace
- Genocide
- War crimes
- Violations of humanitarian rules under the Geneva Conventions, 1949
- Any other crime recognised under international law
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