Brazil pledges full support to boost BD’s digital judiciary

The assurance came when Bangladesh Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed met with the Chief Justice of the National High Court of Brazil Antonio Herman Benjamin on Monday, said a press release on Tuesday.

During the meeting, significant progress was made regarding the exchange of judicial technologies between the two countries. Both sides agreed that digital transformation is having a profound impact on ensuring justice in today’s modern world.

The sharing of Brazil’s technological expertise, innovations, and digital infrastructure with Bangladesh’s judiciary was highlighted as a means to significantly advance the digitalization of the court management system in Bangladesh.

Justice Benjamin assured that Brazil would extend its full cooperation in this regard.

The meeting focused on enhancing mutual cooperation between the judiciaries of the two countries, exchanging experiences and best practices, sharing technological innovations in judicial processes, exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in justice delivery, and strengthening the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law.

Both chief justices acknowledged that in today’s interconnected world, where trade, communication, and the movement of people transcend national borders, international judicial collaboration has become more relevant than ever in addressing complex legal challenges.

In this context, they emphasised that effective judicial cooperation between Brazil and Bangladesh would ensure that justice is not confined within geographical boundaries but recognized as a universal right.

In the meeting, a special focus was put on introducing technology-driven initiatives such as e-filing, digital case management, video conferencing, and online dispute resolution in Bangladesh’s judiciary. The Bangladesh Chief Justice expressed his belief that Brazil’s proven experience in these areas would play a pivotal role in supporting the digital transformation of the judiciary in Bangladesh.

The discussion also highlighted the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into judicial processes. Both Chief Justices agreed that AI has the potential to make justice systems more efficient, transparent, and fair. They explored areas of collaboration, such as implementing AI-powered case management systems to expedite case disposal and developing AI tools to assist judges and lawyers in quickly and accurately finding relevant precedents, legal provisions, and case analyses.

They stressed the importance of using AI responsibly to ensure accountability, accessibility, and the strengthening of the rule of law.

Justice Refaat is currently in Brazil at the invitation of Herman to attend a programme titled “Exchanges on Matters of Mutual Judicial Interest, Particularly Concerning Institutional Reform, Environmental Justice, Judicial Independence, and Technological Innovation in the Administration of Justice.”

On Monday, the Bangladesh chief justice also visited the National High Court of Brazil [Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ)] in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. The National High Court serves as the highest appellate court.

Earlier on March 3, Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin attended a seminar titled “Upholding Environmental Justice: The Role of Judges for a Sustainable Future” as a special guest in Dhaka at the invitation of the Bangladesh Chief Justice, reports UNB. 

The Bangladesh chief justice will stay in Brazil until September 19 and attend other events there.