Established in 1921, the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka stands as the apex institution of legal education in Bangladesh. It is the oldest and most prestigious law school in the country, renowned for its enduring legacy of academic and professional excellence. The Department is guided by a distinguished faculty of highly qualified scholars, many of whom hold advanced degrees from leading international universities and bring extensive expertise in teaching, research, and legal practice. It serves as a vibrant intellectual community that brings together talented individuals from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, where the rigour of the present meets the promise of future leaders in the legal profession.
Throughout Bangladesh’s history, the students and faculty members of the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka have played decisive roles during times of national crisis, guided by an unwavering moral conscience and a steadfast commitment to justice. From the Liberation War of 1971 to the democratic movement of 1990, and most recently the 2024 uprising, they have stood at the forefront, demonstrating courage, integrity, and intellectual leadership. Following the formation of the interim government in 2024, several students and faculty members of the Department were entrusted with important national responsibilities, serving as advisors, members of reform commissions, and contributors to key policy initiatives. This enduring legacy reflects the Department’s profound devotion to truth, justice, and the rule of law.
The alumni network of the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka exemplifies remarkable strength and influence. It includes distinguished figures such as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Cabinet Ministers including Advisors, Speaker of the Parliament, Judges of the Appellate Division and High Court Division, Attorney General of Bangladesh, Members of Parliament, Secretaries to various ministries, eminent lawyers of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, eminent political leaders as well as leading professionals in statutory bodies and major business conglomerates. This formidable network provides students with a strong foundation for their career aspirations, offering invaluable connections, mentorship, and professional opportunities.
The Department of Law is the largest law school in Bangladesh, with 39 faculty members of a diverse range of legal expertise taught at globally acclaimed universities. The distinguished faculty within the Department of Law comprises erudite scholars, widely recognised for their prolific contributions to their specialized domains. Demonstrating scholarly eminence, they have authored and published an array of journal articles, book chapters, and comprehensive books, gaining recognition from esteemed global publishers such as Brill Nijhoff, Cambridge University Press, Edward Elgar Publishing, Oxford University Press, Routledge, Springer, Bloomsbury, and Kluwer Law International, among others. Several faculty members are frequent contributors to various media outlets, earning accolades as public intellectuals among the citizens of Bangladesh. The faculty's commitment to intellectual discourse and dissemination of knowledge reflects a commitment to academic excellence and engagement with broader societal dialogues. To strengthen and support the research endeavors of its distinguished faculty, the Department established the Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) in 2017. Since its inception, CALS has served as a hub for scholarly inquiry and intellectual exchange, regularly organising seminars, workshops, and discussions that promote a vibrant culture of legal research and critical thinking within the academic community.
The faculty members impart legal education through four different programmes at four different levels: Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The Department of Law has more than 650 students. Each year, 110 students are enrolled in the LLB programme through the Dhaka University Central Admission Committee. The faculty-student ratio is 1:16. In all four programmes, the students are encouraged to transcend the rigid confines of statutory language, delving into the nuanced complexities that define the legal landscape. This entails a rigorous exploration of inquiries such as the historical genesis and evolution of prevailing legal principles, the application of legal tenets to unprecedented scenarios, fostering a forward-thinking mindset, scrutinising the intended purpose and societal objectives underpinning existing regulations, evaluating the efficacy of current legal frameworks, and discerning any unintended consequences, posing critical questions on the necessity for potential legal reforms.
The Department of Law offers a comprehensive range of resources, facilitating advanced legal research and academic inquiry. In addition to its well-equipped seminar library, which houses an extensive collection of national and international law reports, textbooks, journals, and reference materials, the Department also offers access to leading digital legal databases such as Manupatra, HeinOnline, and the Max Planck Encyclopedia of Comparative Constitutional Law, among others. Furthermore, the Department publishes the Dhaka University Law Journal, one of the country’s most respected and enduring academic law publications, which serves as a platform for scholarly discourse and original legal research. Collectively, these resources ensure that students and faculty have the necessary tools to engage in rigorous, up-to-date, and globally informed legal scholarship.
The Department has recently revised its syllabus to meet the evolving demands of contemporary legal education and practice. Among the key reforms are the introduction of a mandatory research methodology course and the establishment of a comprehensive Clinical Legal Education Programme, which includes the Law Clinic and structured court visits. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the multifaceted challenges of modern legal practice. The Law Clinic stands as a cornerstone of this initiative, serving as a dynamic platform for experiential learning. It enables students to transcend traditional classroom instruction and engage directly with the practical dimensions of legal work. The programme is meticulously designed to develop core professional skills, including client interviewing, law firm management, fact analysis, examination and cross-examination techniques, and practical understanding of civil and criminal procedures. Conducted within a simulated courtroom environment that mirrors the atmosphere of actual court proceedings, students participate in mock trials to refine their advocacy and procedural proficiency. Complementing these exercises, organised court visits offer invaluable exposure to real-life legal processes, deepening students’ understanding of judicial practice.
The Department of Law offers a wide range of extracurricular activities designed to complement and enrich its academic and clinical programs. Spanning professional development, public service, and cultural engagement, these initiatives encourage students to cultivate skills and values that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. The Department currently hosts several active student organisations, including the Dhaka University Law Career Club, Law Cultural Club, Law Department Debating Club, and the Dhaka University Moot Court Society, each representing a distinct aspect of personal growth and professional interest. These organisations curate a diverse array of intellectually engaging and socially vibrant events ranging from seminars, workshops, and networking sessions to mini-concerts and cultural programs, fostering a holistic and dynamic educational experience. Students of the Department have also earned distinguished recognition at both national and international levels, particularly through their outstanding performances in moot court competitions, at home and abroad, where they have secured numerous awards and brought prestige to the University of Dhaka. These achievements are a testament to the Department’s enduring tradition of academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to nurturing future leaders in the legal profession.
The Department of Law at the University of Dhaka offers a range of need-based and merit-based scholarships and awards to recognise academic excellence and support deserving students. These include the Dean’s Award, Dhaka University Scholarships, Shamaila Rahman Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Hamid Uddin Khan Memorial Scholarship, Shahjahan Siraj Foundation Scholarship, Justice Amin Ahmed Gold Medal, Senior Advocate Ozair Farooq Memorial Scholarship, Justice Mohammad Hussain Memorial Gold Medal, and the Barrister Shafiq Ahmed Trust Scholarship, among others. These honours not only acknowledge exceptional academic performance but also inspire students to pursue excellence, integrity, and service in their academic and professional journeys.
In summary, the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka serves as a beacon of legal scholarship, professional excellence, and national service. With its century-long legacy, distinguished faculty, and vibrant community of scholars, it continues to shape the intellectual and ethical foundations of the legal profession in Bangladesh. Through its rigorous academic programmes, pioneering research initiatives, practical training opportunities, and diverse extracurricular engagements, the Department nurtures future generations of lawyers, judges, policymakers, and academics who uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and the rule of law in their respective capacities. Guided by a profound sense of social responsibility and moral conscience, the Department remains committed to advancing legal education and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s democratic and developmental aspirations.