In response to an editorial
Md. Sagir Director, Judicial Administration Training Institute, Dhaka
I concur that the number of criminal cases awaiting disposal in Bangladesh courts is too high. It is axiomatic that due process requires a fair and speedy resolution of the issues presented before the courts. Criminal charges that are not effectively disposed of, as set out in the procedural code of Bangladesh, serve neither the interests of the defendant, the alleged victim nor the state. Nevertheless, it is incorrect that very little investment has been made in building the capacity of the Bangladeshi judiciary, as you mentioned in a recent editorial. The Judicial Administrative Training Institute (JATI) was established as an organisation under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs by an act of Parliament in July 1995 as the focal point of training for all subordinate court judges and as a support and resource facility for Supreme Court judges. More information can be found on JATI's website at: www.jatibd.org. JATI trained 177 judges in nine judicial training courses. On 20 July, an additional twenty nine additional district and sessions judges will complete their two week training course with a certificate awarding ceremony. Two months ago, JATI decamped from its temporary premises in the Old High Court and moved into the recently constructed JATI Building Complex on College Road. This modern five story building is equipped with over seventy computers and it has high speed internet access. Judges and support staff in each course receive comprehensive training in the use of computers and the internet. This computer training can provide the foundation for judges to better organise their dockets, research case law and improve their knowledge of legal issues in general.
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