The Bangladesh Bar Council has established 35 as the maximum age for individuals seeking enrolment as lawyers, a decision formalized in a public notice issued on October 27. The policy was originally adopted by the council on August 19 but will take effect beginning January 1, 2030, to accommodate students currently pursuing Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees.

Mohammad Kamal Hossain Sikder, Secretary of the Bangladesh Bar Council, confirmed the announcement, emphasizing that the age restriction would apply to all applications for enrolment, eligibility verification, and related procedures from the start of 2030. This transitional period allows those already engaged in legal studies to complete their education without being subject to the new age requirement.

The move to set an upper age limit aims to standardize the criteria for entry into the legal profession in Bangladesh. While specific reasons for the change were not detailed by the council, the measure aligns with professional regulatory practices in various jurisdictions that impose age restrictions to manage career timelines and capacity within the legal sector.

The council’s public notice formalizes the implementation schedule, ensuring that candidates applying for registration after December 31, 2029, must meet the age requirement. This adjustment is anticipated to take effect with the next cycle of enrolments, marking a significant procedural change in Bangladesh’s legal licensing framework.