Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed Awarded Oxford’s ‘Lifetime Fellowship’

In a letter to the Chief Justice, Robert Hannigan, Warden of Wadham College, expressed great pleasure in announcing that the governing body of the college had elected him to this honorary position. The fellowship, a lifetime recognition, grants Justice Refaat the opportunity to participate in various college events and formal dinners, as well as access college facilities.

The Bangladesh Supreme Court expressed immense pride in this rare achievement, emphasizing that the recognition is a moment of pride for the country’s judiciary and legal system. This honor not only celebrates Justice Refaat's personal success but also highlights the international respect for Bangladesh's judiciary.

Justice Refaat, who earned his postgraduate law degree with first-class honors from Wadham College, was appointed as the 25th Chief Justice of Bangladesh in August 2024. A graduate of Dhaka University, he also completed a Master’s and PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Before his appointment, Justice Refaat specialized in banking law and worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an immigration law expert. He began his legal career in 1984 and was appointed to the High Court Division in 2003, later becoming a permanent judge.

Justice Refaat’s family has a strong legacy in law and academia. His father, Barrister Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, was Bangladesh's first additional attorney general, and his mother, National Professor Dr. Sufia Ahmed, was a prominent academic and a leader in the Language Movement of 1952.