The Promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026: An OverviewThe promulgation of the Commercial Court Ordinance 2026 (Ordinance No. 01 of 2026) by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on January 1, 2026, represents a seminal transformation in the state’s approach to the adjudication of high-stakes business disputes.1 For a nation positioned as an emerging global economic hub, the intersection of commerce and the rule of law has historically been a site of significant friction. Section 2(ঘ) of the Ordinance provides an exhaustive list of 24 categories of disputes that qualify as “commercial”.12 This broad definition is essential for capturing the multifaceted nature of modern trade, ranging from traditional mercantile transactions to sophisticated digital services and natural resource management.12The 24 Functional Categories of Commercial DisputesThe Ordinance adopts a functional approach to jurisdiction, focusing on the nature of the transaction. Its success depends on implementation: the transition to an autonomous judiciary through the Supreme Court Secretariat provides the necessary foundation.27 If the state can successfully invest in digital infrastructure and specialized training for the bench and bar 9, the Commercial Courts will become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s post-LDC prosperity. Harper James, accessed January 3, 2026, https://harperjames.co.uk/article/what-is-summary-judgment-how-does-it-work/Motions to Dismiss and Moving for Summary Judgment | NYSBA, accessed January 3, 2026, https://nysba.org/events/motions-to-dismiss-and-moving-for-summary-judgment-best-practices/The Singapore International Commercial Court: Friend or Foe to International Arbitration?, accessed January 3, 2026, https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-blog/the-singapore-international-commercial-court-friend-or-foe-to-international-arbitration-in-singapore/UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, 2018, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/en/texts/mediation/modellaw/commercial_conciliationAnnex II UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Mediation, accessed January 3, 2026, https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/annex_ii.pdfDCCI Welcomes Commercial Court Ordinance, accessed January 3, 2026, https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/dcci-welcomes-commercial-court-ordinance-sees-it-boost-business-climate-1319456

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 05, 2026 11:27 UTC