EDITORIAL
We are pleased to publish the seventh issue
of the quarterly Legal Counsel News Bulletin and the first one in 2021 with some
important updates as a part of our continuing efforts to disseminate key information to clients and other stakeholders. As
we are celebrating the 50 anniversary of
our independence, we have considered
focusing more on the constitution law
aspect in this issue.
NEW IMPORTANT LEGISLATIONS
(JANUARY 2021-MARCH 2021)
CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a
codified set of basic principles, rules and rights applicable to
the citizens of Bangladesh. Following the declaration of independence on March 26, 1971, the Proclamation of Independence was published on April 10, 1971. It enshrined “equality,
human dignity and social justice” as the fundamental principles of Bangladesh. It is the supreme law of Bangladesh and
any law, which is inconsistent with the Constitution is to be
declared as void.
On November 4, 1972 the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was enacted with the same being effective
from December 16, 1972.It has ten Parts and seven Schedules.
It is based on the four fundamental principles of state policy,
namely, nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism. It
sets out other fundamental principles such as guaranteeing
human rights and freedoms, freedom from exploitation and
protection of tribes, minor races, ethnic sects and communities. It also promotes public health and morality, endeavors
to ensure equality between men and women and provides
that the State shall adopt effective measures to establish
mass and compulsory education. It also provides the freedom of thought and conscience of speech and freedom of
religion, freedom of movement etc. to the people of Bangladesh. It guarantees equality before law and prohibits the State from discriminating on grounds of religion, race, caste,
sex or place of birth. Violation of any fundamental rights as stated in the Constitution can be challenged before the
hon’ble High Court Division through its writ jurisdiction.
The Constitution also empowers the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, the President, the Parliament, Courts and
Tribunals of Bangladesh. It defines their powers, their structure, functions, procedures of appointment and their
tenure of offices wherever applicable. It grants the President immunity against claims arising out of his functions
as a President and gives him the power to grant mercy against any court sentence. It embodies the fundamental
issues for running Bangladesh as a sovereign state. 
Continued on page 2

There are 6 legislations has been enacted in the parliament during the first
quarter of 2021.These are:
Intermediate and Secondary Education
(Amendment) Act,2021;
Bangladesh Technical Education Board
(Amendment) Act, 2021 ;
Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board
(Amendment) Act, 2021;
Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration
and Control) (Amendment) Act, 2021;
The Civil Courts (Amendment) Act,
2021 and
Sheikh Hasina Medical University,
Khulna, Law, 2021.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION OF BANGLADESH?
LEGAL COUNSEL NEWS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
ON A SERIOUS NOTE
The World Bank has approved USD$ 200
million to assist Bangladesh for providing support and services to the low-income urban
youth impacted by COVID-19 and the involuntary returnee migrant workers in order to
improve their earning opportunities.
On February 07, 2021 Bangladesh launched a
nationwide vaccination drive with the aim of
vaccinating 130 million people for free. At least
4.5 million people of Bangladesh have taken
the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca
vaccine. Bangladesh holds 11th position in the
global vaccination race. It is expected that
more and more people will be vaccinated in the
coming days and the people receiving the first
doze will take their second doze on time.
BANGLADESH COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
(AS ON MARCH 2021)
I was in a juvenile court, prosecuting a teenaged
boy suspected of burglary. The judge asked everyone to stand up and state his or her names and
roles.
“Robert Clerk, Deputy Prosecutor,” I said.
“Linda Jones, Probation Officer.”
“Samul Johansen, Public Defender.”
“Paul Smith,” said the teen who was on trial. “I’m
the one who stole the truck.”
On the occasion of the 101 birth anniversary
………………..of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
………………..Mujibur Rahman, another glorious knot is
………………..added to our history by securing the copy
………………..right of his legendary speech of March 7, 1971
………………..in the name of his two daughters, H.E. Ms.
Sheikh Hasina, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh and
Ms. Sheikh Rehana. Since 1971, this speech has always been
an inspiration to the people of Bangladesh all over the world.
In 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the inscription of
the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu on the memory of the
World International Register.
Since 2012, a foreign company, named Inreco Entertainment
Pvt. Limited, has been misusing Bangabandhu’s speech on
various internet platforms. The said company also illegally
obtained a digital license of the proprietorship of that speech
in their name. Upon disclosure of this matter, the Government of Bangladesh sent a legal notice and further had a
discussion with Inerco Entertainment Limited claiming the
authorship of the speech under Section 78 of the Copyright
Act, 2000. Subsequently, the said company surrendered the
digital license, which was obtained and misused illegally.
st
The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is a written or codified like most of the countries in the
world, e.g. the United States of America, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, France etc. and unlike the constitutions
of Britain, Israel, Canada, New Zealand etc. that are unwritten or uncodified. The same was hand- written by A K M
Abdur Rouf and designed by painter Zainul Abedin in association with artists Hashem Khan, Junabul Islam, Samarjit
Roy Choudhury and Abul Barok Alvi.

10 February 2021: Three associates of Legal Counsel made
valuable discussions on the laws related to the development sector in a webinar organized by INGO HR Networks.
01 March 2021: Head of Chambers of Legal Counsel
made the keynote presentation in a Webinarorganized by
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) for Japanese
investors.
08 March 2021: Legal Counsel celebrated the International Women’s Day 2021. It was reported that since
its inception 62.5% of the total associates engaged with
Legal Counsel were women with no exception to the
current ratio.
Legal Counsel was listed as Tier-1 law firm amongst
the top 10 law firm in Dhaka (Bangladesh) in 2021 in
the prestigious UK based law firm ranking organization
namely Barristers and Advocates Legal Guide.
https://www.barristersandadvocates.com