TRW & Co · Chattogram Office
Law Firm in Chittagong: TRW & Co Chattogram
TRW & Co is a law firm in Chittagong serving families, probashis, exporters, shipping interests, banks and foreign investors from Court Hill. Our Bangladesh advocates appear in the Chattogram courts and tribunals and the High Court Division, backed by offices in Dhaka, Singapore, Dubai and London.
Key pointChattogram matters often start in a local court or regulator and end in the High Court Division in Dhaka or before a foreign tribunal. Using one team for both stages avoids losing time and context at the handover.
At a glance
Office at Court Hill
Room 4022, Annex 2, District and Sessions Judge Court Building, Court Hill (Porir Pahar), Kotwali, Chattogram 4000, near Road No. 2, inside the district court complex.
Eleven practice fields
Family, land, NRB and succession, criminal, civil and arbitration, banking, shipping, customs and tax, corporate, investment and labour law.
Local and High Court
Our advocates appear in the Chattogram courts and tribunals and in the High Court Division, which hears writs, company and admiralty matters in Dhaka.
Invest Bangladesh Authority
Investment approvals previously handled by BIDA now sit with the Invest Bangladesh Authority under the Invest Bangladesh Act 2026.
International offices
Offices in Dhaka, Singapore, Dubai and London, and sites in China, Italy and Switzerland, support clients and counterparties abroad.
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TRW & Co in Chattogram: who we are and where to find us
TRW & Co is a law firm in Chittagong that serves individuals, families, exporters, shipping interests, banks and foreign investors from an office in the north of the city. We are part of an international firm headquartered in Dhaka, with offices and sites in Singapore, London, Dubai, China, Italy, Switzerland, Sylhet and here in Chattogram. Our Bangladesh advocates appear in the Chattogram courts and tribunals and in the High Court Division.
The office is at Room 4022, Annex 2, District and Sessions Judge Court Building, Court Hill (Porir Pahar), Kotwali, Chattogram 4000. That puts us inside the district court complex itself, in Kotwali near Road No. 2: a few minutes' walk from the civil, criminal and special courts that sit on Court Hill, and a short drive from Agrabad, the port, the Custom House and the CDA offices.
Chattogram has a legal market unlike any other in Bangladesh. The port handles most of the country's seaborne trade, the export processing zones and economic zones house major manufacturers, and the city's families have members spread across the Gulf, the United Kingdom and South-East Asia. A law firm in Chittagong has to handle a ship arrest and a denmohor claim, a customs seizure and a land partition, often for clients who are not in the country.
Courts, tribunals and authorities we work with
Legal work in Chattogram is shaped by where a matter is decided. As a law firm in Chittagong, our advocates appear in the local courts and tribunals and deal with the regulators that sit here.
Courts and tribunals in Chattogram
- The Chattogram judgeship. The District and Sessions Judge's courts and the civil courts below them hear civil suits, appeals, succession and probate matters, and criminal trials. Most sit in the court buildings in the Court Hill area.
- Metropolitan and judicial magistrates. Bail, police cases and complaint cases begin before the magistrates; sessions cases go to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge or District and Sessions Judge.
- Family Courts and the e-Family Court. Family Courts decide divorce, dower, maintenance and custody. Since late November 2025 Chattogram also has an e-Family Court with online filing and remote hearings.
- Artha Rin Adalat. Money Loan Courts hear banks' recovery suits and borrowers' defences.
- Labour Courts. Chattogram has a First and a Second Labour Court for dismissal, benefits and industrial disputes.
- Special tribunals. Including the tribunals for women and children repression cases and land survey disputes.
- The High Court Division. Writs, company matters, admiralty claims such as ship arrest, and revisions go to the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, which sits in Dhaka. Our advocates handle these from Chattogram and Dhaka together.
Our guide to which Chattogram court hears your case and the article on whether there is a High Court bench in Chattogram explain the structure in more detail.
Authorities and regulators
Much of our business work in Chattogram is before regulators rather than courts: the Chittagong Port Authority, the Chattogram Custom House under the National Board of Revenue, BEPZA for the Chattogram and Karnaphuli EPZs, BEZA for economic zones including the National Special Economic Zone at Mirsarai, Bangladesh Bank on foreign exchange, RJSC on company filings, the Chattogram Development Authority, the City Corporation, the Department of Environment, DIFE and the land and sub-registry offices. Foreign investment approvals that BIDA used to handle now sit with the Invest Bangladesh Authority under the Invest Bangladesh Act 2026, as Bangladesh Bank's FEPD circular no. 40 of 30 September 2026 recognises.
What we do: practice areas in Chattogram
Our Chattogram work falls into eleven fields. Each has its own pages explaining the law, the local procedure and how we help. The table summarises them and the forums involved.
| Field | Typical matters | Main forums in and beyond Chattogram |
|---|---|---|
| Family law | Divorce, khula, dower, maintenance, custody | Family Courts, e-Family Court, City Corporation, kazis |
| Land and property | Title suits, mutation, flat purchase, CDA plots, partition | Civil courts, AC Land, sub-registry, CDA, Land Survey Tribunal |
| NRB, succession and wills | Probashi property, powers of attorney, succession, wills, heba | Civil courts, sub-registry, land offices, missions abroad |
| Criminal defence and bail | Bail, anticipatory bail, cheque dishonour, cyber cases | Magistrates, Sessions courts, tribunals, High Court Division |
| Civil litigation, arbitration and writs | Commercial suits, injunctions, arbitration, writs, execution | Civil courts, arbitral tribunals, High Court Division |
| Banking, finance and debt recovery | Artha Rin cases, loan settlement, trade finance, LCs | Artha Rin Adalat, Bangladesh Bank, High Court Division |
| Shipping, port and admiralty | Ship arrest, cargo claims, demurrage, charterparties, ship recycling | Admiralty jurisdiction of the High Court Division, Chittagong Port Authority |
| Customs, VAT and tax | Valuation, seizures, bonded warehouses, VAT and income tax disputes | Chattogram Custom House, NBR, appellate tribunals |
| Corporate, commercial and IP | Company set-up, M&A, joint ventures, contracts, trademarks | RJSC, DPDT, Invest Bangladesh Authority |
| Investment, economic zones and projects | EPZ and economic zone set-up, work permits, environmental clearance, energy | BEPZA, BEZA, Invest Bangladesh Authority, Department of Environment |
| Employment, labour and RMG compliance | Dismissals, Labour Court claims, EPZ labour, factory licences | Labour Courts, DIFE, BEPZA |
Within these fields, some of the matters we are asked about most in Chattogram are divorce, bail, ship arrest, Money Loan Court cases, customs clearance problems, BEPZA approvals, company registration and NRB property disputes. The full list is on our practices page.
Chattogram is where Bangladesh trades with the world. Its legal problems are local in procedure and international in consequence, and a firm here needs to be fluent in both.
Chattogram's legal landscape in 2026
Several recent changes affect how a law firm in Chittagong advises clients this year. None of them is yet settled practice everywhere, so we check the current position on each matter rather than relying on habit.
Family Courts and the e-Family Court
The Family Courts Act 2023 replaced the Family Courts Ordinance 1985, kept the five core family matters within the Family Courts' jurisdiction, set the suit court fee at Tk 200 and allowed courts of District Judge rank other than the District Judge to be designated for family appeals. At the end of November 2025, Chattogram became one of the first places with an e-Family Court, where cases can be filed and heard online. For families with a spouse abroad, that is a practical change: hearings no longer have to wait for someone to fly home. Our Family Court page explains how we use it.
Commercial disputes
Parliament passed the Commercial Courts Act 2026 on 7 April 2026, replacing a January 2026 Ordinance, and the government has said it intends to revise the law to fill gaps. The official cause-list portal now lists two Commercial Courts for Chattogram Metropolitan and one for Chattogram district, but disputes outside the Act's scope continue in the ordinary civil courts, in arbitration or, for banks, in the Artha Rin Adalat. We advise clients on forum and dispute clauses with that transition in mind; see our commercial litigation page.
Investment approvals
The Invest Bangladesh Act 2026 created the Invest Bangladesh Authority as successor to BIDA, and Bangladesh Bank's Foreign Exchange Policy Department has reflected the change in its circular no. 40 of 30 September 2026. Foreign investors registering projects in Chattogram, applying for work permits or remitting funds should make sure their documents refer to the right authority. Zone-based investors continue to deal with BEPZA or BEZA for most approvals.
These changes sit on top of the long-standing features of practice in Chattogram: busy court lists, heavy reliance on documents, and a mix of local and international parties. A good first meeting should tell you which of them matters to your case.
Who we act for
Our clients in Chattogram fall into four broad groups, and the way we work differs for each.
Families and individuals
Families come to a law firm in Chittagong for divorce, dower and custody, land disputes, inheritance and criminal matters. Many have never instructed a lawyer before. We explain the forum, the steps and the realistic options in plain Bangla or English, and we do not promise outcomes.
Probashis and NRBs
Chattogram has one of the largest probashi communities in Bangladesh. Clients in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, the UK, Italy and Singapore need someone to protect property, run cases and sign documents for them at home. Attested powers of attorney, remote hearings in the e-Family Court and online land services make much of this possible without travelling.
Businesses and exporters
Garment and other exporters, importers, C&F agents, shipping lines, terminal operators and developers need a law firm in Chittagong that understands the port, the Custom House, the export zones and the banks. We handle contracts, regulatory approvals, disputes and compliance.
Foreign investors and institutions
Investors from East Asia, the Gulf, Europe and elsewhere use Chattogram for manufacturing and logistics. We advise on zone selection, approvals from the Invest Bangladesh Authority, BEPZA and BEZA, work permits, foreign exchange and dispute resolution, and coordinate with our offices in Singapore, Dubai, London and China.
How an engagement works
Whether you are a family in Nasirabad or a shipowner in Singapore, working with a law firm in Chittagong should be predictable. Our usual process is:
- First contact. Call, email or visit the Court Hill office. Tell us briefly what has happened and any deadlines, such as a hearing date or a notice period.
- Conflict check. We confirm we can act and that no conflict of interest exists before we receive confidential details.
- Document review. We review the key papers, such as a kabinnama, khatian, bill of lading, loan documents or charge sheet, and identify the law and forum.
- Advice and options. We explain the options, the likely steps and the risks, with an estimate of professional fees and other costs.
- Engagement. We agree scope and fees in writing. For clients abroad, we arrange attested powers of attorney or authorisations.
- Action. We file, negotiate, attend hearings and deal with authorities, reporting at each significant step.
- Close or appeal. We conclude the matter, enforce any decree or order, and advise on appeal or review where appropriate.
Why clients choose TRW & Co in Chattogram
Local courts, national reach
Our advocates appear in the Chattogram courts and tribunals and in the High Court Division. Matters that start locally and move to Dhaka, such as writs, admiralty claims and revisions, stay with one team.
Port and trade fluency
We work with the Chittagong Port Authority, the Custom House, BEPZA, BEZA and the banks every week. We understand how ships, containers and letters of credit move.
International offices
Offices in Dhaka, Singapore, Dubai and London, with sites in China, Italy and Switzerland, let us work with clients and counterparties where they are, in their time zone.
Plain-language advice
We explain the law, the forum and the realistic options in Bangla or English. We tell clients when a case is weak or when settlement is the better route.
An office outside the bottleneck
Our Court Hill office sits in the centre of the city, beside the district courts and within easy reach of Agrabad, the port and the residential areas.
Published guidance
We publish detailed guides on Chattogram procedure, from talaq notices to ship arrest. Clients arrive informed, and our advice builds on what they have read.
Bangladesh law is changing fast. The Family Courts Act 2023 replaced the 1985 Ordinance, the Commercial Courts Act 2026 was passed on 7 April 2026 with the government signalling amendments, and BIDA's functions have passed to the Invest Bangladesh Authority. Before relying on older guidance, check that it reflects the current law.
Choosing a law firm in Chittagong: risks and common mistakes
Relying on directory listings alone
Online directories and "best lawyer" lists often rank by payment rather than experience, and some list chambers that no longer practise. Before instructing anyone, check that the advocate is enrolled with the Bangladesh Bar Council and practises in the court your matter belongs in. Ask who will actually handle your file and how they will report to you. A law firm in Chittagong should be able to tell you plainly which forum your matter belongs in and what the first steps are.
Missing deadlines while choosing
Many Chattogram matters run against time: limitation periods for suits, short windows for appeals, notice periods in cheque dishonour cases, deadlines to respond to customs or VAT demands, and hearing dates already fixed. Spending weeks comparing lawyers can cost the claim. If you have a deadline, say so in your first message and ask for urgent advice on that point first, even if the wider engagement is agreed later.
Using a lawyer outside their field
Admiralty, customs, Money Loan Court and family practice each have their own procedure and culture. A general practitioner may not know, for example, that a ship arrest goes to the High Court Division or that a talaq notice in the city goes to the City Corporation. Ask about experience with your type of matter and the forum, not just general credentials.
Signing powers of attorney too broadly
Probashis often sign wide powers of attorney in favour of relatives, who then sell or mortgage land without consent. A power of attorney should be limited to the task, time-bound where possible, and properly attested and registered. If you have already given a broad power and are worried, a lawyer can help you revoke it and notify the sub-registry and other offices.
Not agreeing fees and scope in writing
Misunderstandings about fees and what is included cause many client complaints. Ask for written terms setting out the scope of work, the fee basis, what costs such as court fees and stamp duty will be extra, and how you will be updated. We provide this at the start of every engagement.
Cross-border work: Dhaka, Singapore, Dubai and London
Much of what comes to a law firm in Chittagong has a foreign element: a ship registered abroad, a buyer in Europe, a lender in Singapore, a husband in Dubai, a family member in London. Our Chattogram team works with colleagues in Dhaka on High Court Division matters and regulatory filings, and with our Singapore, Dubai and London offices on documents, evidence and parallel proceedings abroad.
For individuals, that means a power of attorney signed in Dubai can be prepared to Bangladeshi standards before it is attested. For businesses, it means a dispute with a Chattogram counterparty can be managed in one place, with arbitration, enforcement of foreign awards and local litigation coordinated. Our NRB services and arbitration pages explain these in detail.
How to reach our Chattogram office
- Address: Room 4022, Annex 2, District and Sessions Judge Court Building, Court Hill (Porir Pahar), Kotwali, Chattogram 4000.
- Phone: +880 1779 127165.
- Email: info@trw.co.
- Landmarks: Annex 2 of the District and Sessions Judge Court Building on Court Hill (Porir Pahar), near Road No. 2, Kotwali, in the centre of the city.
Use our contact page to send details securely. If your matter is urgent, such as an arrest, a ship about to sail or a hearing this week, say so at the start and we will prioritise the first advice accordingly.
Checklist before you contact a law firm in Chittagong
- Write a short timeline of what has happened, with dates.
- Gather the key documents: contracts, deeds, kabinnama, notices, court papers or charge sheet.
- Note any deadline, hearing date or notice period.
- Identify the other party and any lawyers already involved.
- If you are abroad, check whether you can sign and attest a power of attorney where you live.
- Decide what outcome you want and what you would accept in a settlement.
- Ask about fees, scope and reporting before you engage.
Frequently asked questions
01Where is TRW & Co's office in Chattogram?
Our office is at Room 4022, Annex 2, District and Sessions Judge Court Building, Court Hill (Porir Pahar), Kotwali, Chattogram 4000. It is inside the district court complex on Court Hill, near Road No. 2 in Kotwali, in the centre of the city and a short drive from Agrabad and the port. You can call +880 1779 127165 or email info@trw.co to arrange a meeting, or send details through our contact page.
02Which courts do your advocates appear in?
The firm's Bangladesh advocates appear in the courts and tribunals of Chattogram, including the civil and sessions courts of the Chattogram judgeship, magistrates' courts, Family Courts and the e-Family Court, the Artha Rin Adalat and the Labour Courts. They also appear in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court in Dhaka for writs, company matters, admiralty claims such as ship arrest, and revisions.
03Can you help if I live abroad?
Yes. Many of our Chattogram clients live in the Gulf, the UK, Europe or South-East Asia. We can act under a power of attorney attested where you live, use remote hearings where courts allow them, such as the e-Family Court, and report to you by email and video call. Our offices in Dubai, London, Singapore and Dhaka help with document execution and communication.
04Do you act for foreign companies setting up in Chattogram?
Yes. We advise on zone selection between the EPZs and economic zones, approvals from BEPZA, BEZA and the Invest Bangladesh Authority, which has succeeded BIDA under the Invest Bangladesh Act 2026, company registration with RJSC, work permits, foreign exchange rules and environmental clearance. We coordinate with our Singapore, Dubai, London and China offices for clients based there.
05How are your fees charged?
Fees depend on the type of matter, its complexity and whether it is advisory or contested. After an initial review we give an estimate and agree the scope and fee basis in writing, setting out separately any court fees, stamp duty, registration charges and other costs. We do not publish fixed fee scales because Chattogram matters vary widely.
06Is there a High Court bench in Chattogram?
No permanent High Court Division bench currently sits in Chattogram; the High Court Division sits in Dhaka. Establishing permanent benches in divisional cities has been proposed in recent reform discussions but would require constitutional change. For now, writs, admiralty claims, company matters and revisions from Chattogram are heard in Dhaka, and our advocates handle them from both offices.
07What should I bring to a first meeting?
Bring a short written timeline, the key documents (contracts, deeds, kabinnama, court papers, notices or charge sheet), details of the other party and any deadlines or hearing dates. If you are abroad, scans by email are enough to begin. We will review them, identify the right forum and explain the options and likely costs before you decide how to proceed.
Sources and official materials
- Supreme Court of Bangladesh — High Court Division and Appellate Division: cause lists and judgments
- Chittagong Port Authority — Port regulator for Chattogram port operations and tariffs
- Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) — Regulator of CEPZ, KEPZ and other export processing zones
- Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) — Regulator of economic zones including NSEZ Mirsarai
- National Board of Revenue — Customs, VAT and income tax administration, including Chattogram Custom House
- Bangladesh Bank — Central bank; foreign exchange regulation and FEPD circulars
- Family Courts Act 2023 — Jurisdiction of Family Courts in Chattogram and nationwide
General information only, current as at 2 November 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create an advocate–client relationship. It reflects the law of Bangladesh unless stated otherwise, and the law, court practice and official fees change frequently. Check current official sources and take advice on the facts of your matter.
