ADR can reduce pending cases to 20 lakh within a year: Law Minister

If the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism is effectively implemented, the number of pending cases in the country can be reduced to approximately 20 lakh within the next year, said Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural seminar on mandatory pre-filing mediation under Section 21 of the Bangladesh Legal Aid Act, 2026, held at the Law Ministry's conference room at the Secretariat on Tuesday (July 21).

The minister said there are currently around 45 lakh pending cases in the country. Due to a shortage of judges, the burden of these cases has created immense pressure on the entire judiciary, from the Supreme Court to district and subordinate courts. In this situation, along with the traditional judicial system, making ADR more effective is the need of the hour.

He informed that positive results were found in a pilot project conducted from February to May 2026. During this period, cases filed in family courts decreased by about 51 percent compared to the same period last year. Similarly, cases under the Rent Control, Distribution, State Acquisition and Tenancy, and Non-Agricultural Tenancy Acts also decreased significantly.

The minister said cases filed under the Dowry Prohibition Act also decreased by 67.71 percent. Overall, cases under various laws decreased by an average of 62.2 percent, which is proof of the effectiveness of mandatory pre-filing mediation.

He said if disputes can be resolved before filing cases and effective mediation can be conducted in pending cases, the number of pending cases can be brought down from around 45 lakh to 20 lakh within the next year.

Addressing judges, he said cases that have scope for compromise should be sent to district legal aid offices or accredited mediators at the initial stage. Even if cases are filed in court, if disputes can be resolved through settlement, it will significantly reduce the time, money and suffering of litigants.

Calling upon journalists, the Law Minister said the media should play a role in raising public awareness about this government-funded mediation programme. The more people know about this service, the more they will avail legally recognised dispute resolution outside the courts.

In his presidential address at the event, Director General of the Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Directorate Md Monjurul Hossain said ADR is an effective means of ensuring fast, low-cost and sustainable justice. He expressed hope that with the cooperation of district judges, chief judicial magistrates, legal aid officers and lawyers, this programme will be more successful.

It was informed at the event that mandatory pre-filing mediation programmes have formally commenced in Bogura, Thakurgaon, Patuakhali, Bhola, Narail, Jashore, Faridpur, Cox's Bazar, Panchagarh and Tangail districts.