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Monday | February 23, 2026 | Dhaka

Pre-litigation mandatory mediation provision created unprecedented opportunities for the poor to get justice -Dr. Asif Nazrul

 

Sylhet Bureau :
Advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Asif Nazrul said that the provision of pre-litigation mandatory mediation that is being implemented through the promulgation of the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 has created unprecedented opportunities for the poor to get justice. He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony organized to mark the implementation of the mandatory provision of pre-litigation mediation as per the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
The inauguration ceremony was organized at a prestigious hotel in Sylhet on Wednesday (September 17) at the initiative of the National Legal Aid Organization under the Law and Justice Department of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Senior judges of the judiciary, representatives of friendly countries and development partners, lawyers of the Sylhet Bar Association, officials of various government departments and representatives of print and electronic media were present at the ceremony.
Regarding the benefits of the implementation of the new ordinance, the advisor said that the mandatory provision of pre-litigation mediation will make the path to protecting people’s rights easier. On the one hand, the time for settling cases will be reduced, as well as the cost will be saved. The backlog of cases will be reduced and the harassment of the people will be eliminated. As a result of this change, the people will get legal remedies quickly, which will greatly increase the establishment of justice. He also said that most of the defendants are satisfied with the pre-litigation mediation of Legal Aid, in fact, both parties win through it. That is why it has been made mandatory.
At the event, Executive Director of the National Legal Aid Organization and Senior District Judge Sheikh Ashfaqur Rahman and Chairman of the District Legal Aid Committee of Sylhet Senior District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Halim Ullah Chowdhury spoke about the recent reforms of the Legal Aid Act and the role of the District Judiciary in implementing pre-litigation mediation. They said that such a timely reform will make the judicial system more dynamic and people-friendly. They expressed their hope that District Legal Aid will be a symbol of public trust. In addition, Martina Burkard, the current Country Director of GIZ Bangladesh, delivered a speech at the event as a representative of the friendly country and development partner.
The need and benefits of mandatory pre-litigation mediation were highlighted through stage plays and documentaries at the event.
It is worth noting that the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance-2025 was issued on July 1 to expand and accelerate legal aid. As a result, the provision of pre-litigation mediation has been made mandatory in the matters listed in the ordinance such as family disputes, maintenance of parents, house rent, distribution, dowry, etc. Initially, this provision will be effective from September 18, 2025 in a total of 12 (twelve) districts including Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj.