Age limit for becoming a lawyer to be set at 35: Law Minister
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman says the government has decided to introduce an age limit of 35 for entering the legal profession. The initiative would prevent people above that age from becoming lawyers.
In a Nutshell
- The government has decided to introduce a 35-year age limit for entry into the legal profession.
- Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman announced the decision on 13 October at an internship event at the Supreme Court Auditorium.
- The minister said he had instructed officials to begin work on restricting entry into the legal profession after age 35.
Context
Bangladesh currently has no maximum age for becoming an advocate. Under the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Order, 1972, applicants must be at least 21, hold a recognised law qualification, and meet the Bar Council's requirements.
Unlike four-year LLB programmes at universities, which students can enter after HSC, law colleges offer two-year LLB courses for graduates, allowing people to study law later in life. They can then pursue Bar Council enrolment and retake examinations, subject to applicable rules.
Why It Matters
Age limits for entering government jobs have long been debated in Bangladesh, with the maximum entry age set at 32 under a law passed in 2026. Meanwhile, the judicial system faces serious challenges, with more than 4.6 million cases pending as of March 2026.
On one hand, the country needs more legal professionals to address this backlog. On the other hand, concerns about lawyers' quality and competence raise questions about whether increasing their numbers alone can improve the justice system.
What We Think
Currently, individuals can pursue a law degree at almost any stage of life, from degree colleges, and sit for the Bar Council examination repeatedly. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and many rightly argue that education should not be restricted by age.
However, the declining quality of legal education and lawyers is a growing concern. Rather than producing more and more lawyers, the focus should shift to improving their quality.
Therefore, access to legal practice in the judiciary should be more selective, ensuring that only properly qualified and competent individuals enter the profession.