A proposal to set 35 as the maximum age for enrolment as a lawyer in Bangladesh has sparked mixed reactions in the legal community, with some backing the move to improve professional standards and others warning that it could unfairly exclude aspiring lawyers who pursue the profession later in life.
Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman announced the initiative at an event at the Supreme Court on October 13, saying the government was working to bar people aged over 35 from entering the legal profession.
He also said the Bar Council’s Legal Education Committee had passed a resolution on the matter.
Dhaka Tribune has obtained a copy of the resolution dated August 19, signed by Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Bar Council Secretary Mohammad Kamal Hossain Sikdar.
The document contains an extract from the minutes of the Bar Council meeting held on August 19, 2026, under agenda item six, concerning recommendations made by the Legal Education Committee.
According to the resolution, the committee recommended setting a reasonable upper age limit for enrolment as a lawyer in light of Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal No 253 of 2014 before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
The committee argued that an upper age limit would help enhance the dignity and competence of the legal profession, encourage long-term professional engagement and make the profession more dynamic.
At a meeting on August 6, 2026, the committee proposed setting the maximum age at 35 and placed the recommendation before the Bar Council. Following detailed discussions, all members present agreed to the proposal, which was adopted unanimously. The resolution states that the new limit will take effect on January 1, 2030.
The decision has drawn criticism from some members of the legal community, while others have expressed qualified support. Critics argue that an age limit could disadvantage those whose education has been delayed by academic session backlogs or who turn to law after pursuing other careers. Some have also pointed out that countries such as England do not impose an upper age limit on entry into the profession.
Imam Hossain, an apprentice lawyer at a subordinate court in Dhaka, told Dhaka Tribune that he was disappointed by the decision.
“Due to session backlogs, many students in Bangladesh are already older by the time they complete their studies. If someone fails to secure a government job within the prescribed age limit and then wants to enter the legal profession, what is the harm in that? No country in the world imposes an age limit for entering this profession,” he said.
“We want the decision to be reversed. Otherwise, we will call for a movement,” he added.
Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal told Dhaka Tribune that the initiative aimed to improve professionalism, competence and the standing of the legal profession while encouraging long-term career engagement.
Under Article 27(1) of the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Order, 1972, applicants must be at least 21 years old and meet the prescribed educational and examination requirements to enrol as lawyers. The existing provision does not specify a maximum age.
If implemented, the proposed limit would mark a significant change in the rules governing entry into the legal profession.
Barrister Sanjid Siddiqui, an executive committee member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, described the proposal as timely, citing the growing number of lawyers and the challenges of providing them with adequate facilities.
He said the Supreme Court had around 18,000 lawyers, while the Dhaka Bar Association had approximately 40,000. The total number of lawyers nationwide was estimated at around 80,000.
Providing adequate training, suitable working spaces at bar associations, research facilities and library services had become increasingly difficult amid the growing number of practitioners, he said.
“Priority should be given to the best students who have aspired to become lawyers from the beginning and want to build their careers in this profession, rather than treating it as a second or alternative career,” Siddiqui said.
He reiterated that the rapid increase in the number of lawyers made the proposed age limit timely. However, he acknowledged that countries such as England did not impose an upper age limit on entry into the profession.
“Law is an independent profession, so imposing an age limit is not entirely appropriate. However, given the growing number of lawyers, it is also essential to ensure adequate training and other necessary facilities,” he added.
Supreme Court lawyer Monjila Jhuma said improving the quality of the legal profession required more than an age restriction.
She called for a robust merit-based selection process, effective mandatory practical training, adequate training opportunities for junior lawyers and continuous assessments of professional competence.
Jhuma said the views of lawyers, the Bar Council, legal academics and other stakeholders in the justice system should be considered before an upper age limit was introduced.
She said the rules governing entry into the profession should encourage talented young people while ensuring fairness for those who wished to become lawyers later in life because of their educational backgrounds, previous experience or other practical circumstances.
“However, there must be no compromise on professional standards, ethics and competence,” she said.
Jhuma added that protecting the dignity of the legal profession required quality legal education, effective training, professional accountability and strict enforcement of ethical standards, alongside merit-based selection.
A comprehensive policy addressing these issues, she said, would improve the quality of legal practice and strengthen access to justice.