Govt steps up alternative dispute resolution to ease case backlog: Law Minister

The government is strengthening the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to reduce the country's longstanding case backlog and ensure quicker access to justice, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said on Thursday (July 30).

Speaking at the signing ceremony of two separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the Directorate of Legal Aid Services (DLAS) and rights organisations BLAST and BRAC, the minister said the expanded use of ADR has already produced encouraging results.

According to him, new case filings under specific laws have fallen by more than 62 percent in 2026 compared with 2025, reflecting the growing effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution initiatives.

The minister said around 45 lakh cases are currently pending before courts across the country, making judicial reform and faster dispute resolution a national priority.

To address the growing backlog, the government is working to expand ADR mechanisms through stronger institutional cooperation.

"As part of this initiative, the expertise of experienced organisations such as BLAST and BRAC will be utilised alongside government efforts," he said.

He added that international development partners, including JICA, GIZ and UNDP, are also supporting Bangladesh's efforts to strengthen ADR systems.

Referring to Malaysia's experience, the minister noted that mediation had significantly reduced judicial backlog there within a relatively short period. Bangladesh is now focusing on expanding ADR both before cases are filed and during ongoing judicial proceedings, he added.

The law minister also disclosed that the government is considering legal reforms aimed at reducing property-related disputes—one of the major sources of civil litigation.

He said the government is examining the possibility of incorporating usufruct rights into deeds of gift (hiba) and wills, allowing parents to retain the right to use and enjoy transferred property during their lifetime.

Such a provision, he said, would prevent the sale of property without the consent of the original owners while they remain alive, helping reduce family disputes and lengthy civil litigation.

Emphasising access to justice, the minister said the government is further expanding state-funded legal aid services to ensure that financially disadvantaged citizens are not deprived of legal representation.

He added that victims' families in several recent high-profile cases are also receiving legal assistance through the government's legal aid programme.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Director General of the Directorate of Legal Aid Services Md Manjurul Hossain, BLAST Honourary Executive Director Barrister Sara Hossain, BRAC representatives and other stakeholders.