As old as the university itself, the faculty of law of Dhaka University started its academic journey on July 1, 1921 along with two other faculties – Sciences and Arts. Since its establishment, the faculty has been the pioneer of legal education in Bangladesh.
Until 1973, the faculty of law offered a two-year LLB programme in the evening. During the 1973-74 session, it introduced a three-year LLB Honours course which was extended to four years from 1977-78 session.
A one year general LLM course was introduced during the 1976-77 session, and specialised LLM courses were launched in 2006. Now there is a sum total of 30 subjects in both general and specialised Masters programme. The academic committee decides the number of subjects to be offered for LLM students depending on the availability of course teachers. This faculty enrols students for MPhil and PhD programmes too. At present there are 39 teachers, and around 1150 students at this faculty.
Currently Professor Dr Taslima Monsoor is the dean of faculty of law, and Professor Dr Shahnaz Huda is the chairperson of department. Amongst others, Professor Dr ABM Mafizul Islam Patwari, former chairperson of this department and founder of Dhaka International University; ABM Khairul Haque, former chief justice of Bangladesh and current chairman of Law Commission; and Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, former chairperson of the department and present chairman of National Human Rights Commission, are the former prominent faculty members. Professor Dr Borhan Uddin Khan, former dean of this Faculty, is presently heading the Asian Society of International Law (Bangladesh Chapter).
To address the challenges of 21st century, the law faculty intends to train its students by introducing them to various extracurricular activities. Established in 2006, the Dhaka University Moot Court Society (DUMCS) is one of the most active and vibrant moot court societies in the country. Representing Bangladesh in different moot court competitions home and abroad, DUMCS has been championing the Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition, Price-Oxford Media Law Moot Court Competition, ELCOP Refugee Law Moot Court Competition and so on. Each year DUMCS arranges workshops, seminars, symposiums and intra-year, inter-year, and national moot court competition on different branches of law. Since 2004, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has been organising the Henry Dunant Memorial National Moot Court Competition in association with this faculty and the DUMCS.
The faculty publishes “Dhaka University Law Journal,” a half yearly journal where eminent academics contribute regularly. Moreover, with the motto of enriching the legal scholarship in the country, Dhaka Law Review (DHLR), a legal journal independently run by the students of Dhaka University Law Department, started its journey in 2013.
Being the alumni association of Dhaka University law students, Bangladesh Law Association organises seminars, conferences, and symposiums on legal career, judiciary and human rights issues. The association works not only as an alumni organisation, but also a professional body with objectives to provide a platform for the members to identify, discuss, and share common interests, ideas, and problems in the legal arena. To name a few, notable alumni of the faculty are the founder of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, current Supreme Court Chief Justice, Md Muzammel Hossain; present speaker of the national parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury; the executive director of Ain O Salish Kendro, Sultana Kamal; founder of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Dr Mohiuddin Farooque; Ramon Magsaysay Award winner of 2012, Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and many others.
Law faculty offers numerous scholarship programmes for regular, needy and meritorious law students. Each year, the female students on the basis of their academic excellence are awarded the Shamaila Rahman Memorial Scholarship. Five bright and handicapped students are awarded the Professor Dr Hamid Uddin Khan Memorial Scholarship at the end of first year. A number of students from this faculty get accepted for their post-graduate degrees at Harvard University, Oxford University, Cambridge University, etc. The number of students becoming members of Bangladesh Judiciary, Bar Council, and in other services of the Republic after passing competitive examinations is also on the rise.
Despite being an influential seat of learning, this faculty continues to face several academic and administrative problems. The productivity of students is seriously hindered by the absence of a canteen at the department. A computer lab, which was set up in 2010 for the students, is no longer accessible to them. For lack of maintenance, most of the computers are out of order. The seminar library, which does not allow students to borrow books, often fails to provide adequate and updated books or legal resources necessary for learning. Although the students demanded for a mock trial court for many years, its establishment is still a castle in the sky. A law clinic was set up in the department during the mid nineties by the sponsorship of Ford Foundation to develop the advocacy skills of the students, which has now been shut down due to inadequate funding. Nevertheless, the faculty and department together has been trying to solve these problems and handle sessions-jam and disciplinary issues sincerely. The process of digitalising all classrooms is undergoing with the support of donors and well-wishers. A new conference hall has been recently established with modern amenities. For all students, this department has initiated the programme of student counselling where students can freely talk to the counsellors about any issue that they feel uncomfortable with. This programme has proven successful for new law students who face problems in studying law and attending classes.
The law faculty has a history of innovation in its curriculum, methods of teaching, and programmes. The goal of this faculty is to provide its students with well-rounded legal education along with the opportunity to put that knowledge and skill into action in ways that contribute to the personal development of the students and for the betterment of the community. Its rich history, commitment to academic excellence and innovation have made it one of the most prestigious law schools in Bangladesh today.
