Pre-case mediation reducing court backlog
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said mandatory pre-case mediation is producing encouraging results by reducing the number of new cases and helping address the country’s long-standing court backlog.
Speaking while inaugurating the mandatory pre-filing mediation programme in 10 districts virtually from the ministry’s conference room, the law minister said the initiative is creating opportunities for litigants to resolve disputes quickly and easily without entering lengthy court procedures.
He said more effective implementation of the programme could play a major role in reducing the huge backlog of cases pending in courts.
The minister said around 4.5 million cases are currently pending across the country, while the judiciary continues to face challenges due to an insufficient number of judges.
He said cases filed under the Family Courts Act declined from 3,559 to 1,744, a reduction of around 51 per cent.
Asaduzzaman said the introduction of pre-case mediation in 20 districts under a pilot project significantly reduced the number of cases filed between February and May 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
Partition suits under Civil Judge Courts dropped from 2,001 to 661, marking a decline of nearly 67 per cent.
Pre-emption cases under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act fell from 17 to two, while cases under the Parents’ Maintenance Act also declined.
Overall, the number of newly filed cases dropped by an average of 62.02 per cent, he said.
The law minister urged judges to refer cases with the potential for amicable settlement at an early stage to district legal aid offices or accredited mediators.
He said cooperation among courts, legal aid offices, lawyers and other stakeholders could significantly reduce pending cases within the next year.
Addressing mediators, Asaduzzaman said they should consider their role as a public service rather than just a professional responsibility.
He also reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in the mediation process.
The mandatory pre-case mediation programme was expanded to Bogura, Thakurgaon, Patuakhali, Bhola, Natore, Jashore, Shariatpur, Cox’s Bazar, Panchagarh and Tangail districts.
The programme was chaired by Director General of the Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid Md Monjurul Hossain, while Law and Justice Division Secretary Liaquet Ali Molla attended as special guest.
