In a significant judicial transition, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury as the 26th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. The appointment was formalized through a notification from the Law and Justice Division on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Justice Chowdhury succeeds the 25th Chief Justice, Syed Refaat Ahmed, who is scheduled to retire on December 27, 2025, upon reaching the constitutional age limit of 67. The new appointment will officially take effect on the day Justice Chowdhury takes his oath of office.
Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury brings decades of legal expertise to the role: Education: Earned his LLB (Hons) and LLM from Dhaka University, followed by a Master’s degree in International Law from the United Kingdom. Legal Practice: Enrolled as a lawyer in the District Court in 1985 and the High Court Division in 1987. Judicial Ascent: Appointed as an additional judge of the High Court in 2003, becoming permanent in 2005. He was recently elevated to the Appellate Division on August 12, 2024.
The appointment was made under Article 95 (1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which empowers the President to appoint the Chief Justice.
The Bangabhaban is expected to announce the exact schedule for the oath-taking ceremony within the next 48 hours. Traditionally, the President administers the oath. Legal experts note that Justice Chowdhury’s background in International Law may influence the judiciary's approach to global legal standards and human rights frameworks during his tenure.
