DHAKA – Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman stated that the effective implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) could reduce the number of pending cases in Bangladesh to around two million within the next year. Speaking at the virtual inauguration of the mandatory pre-filing mediation programme in 10 districts, the minister emphasized the need to expand mandatory pre-filing mediation to reduce the prolonged backlog of pending cases and ensure speedy and accessible justice.
Current Caseload and Impact of ADR
The minister highlighted that approximately 4.5 million cases are currently pending across the country, exacerbated by an inadequate number of judges. This enormous caseload has placed a significant burden on the judiciary. Asaduzzaman stressed that strengthening the ADR mechanism alongside the conventional judicial system has become essential.
Success of Pilot Programme
Hailing the results of the pilot programme conducted between February and May 2026, the minister noted a substantial decline in cases filed under various laws. For instance, cases under the Family Courts Act fell by about 51%, and partition suits under Civil Judge Courts dropped by around 67%. Additionally, cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act decreased by 67.71%.
Minister's Call to Action
Asaduzzaman urged judges to refer cases with potential for amicable settlement to district legal aid offices or accredited mediators. He believes that if disputes are resolved before cases are filed and effective mediation is conducted in pending cases, the current caseload could be reduced to about two million within the next year. The minister stressed that ensuring justice through the speedy resolution of disputes is one of the state's foremost responsibilities.
