Mandatory Mediation in Bangladesh Reduces New Case Filings by 62%
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TL;DR
- Bangladesh piloted mandatory pre-litigation mediation in 20 districts.
- New case filings dropped by an average of 62% in pilot areas.
- Programme expanded to 10 more districts under new legislation.
- Initiative aims to reduce pressure on courts and existing backlog.
Overview
On 21 July 2026, Bangladesh's Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman reported that mandatory pre-litigation mediation significantly reduced new case filings in districts where it was piloted. The initiative, now expanded to more districts under the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, aims to alleviate court backlogs and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
What Happened
Mandatory pre-case mediation was introduced on a pilot basis in 20 districts in Bangladesh. Between February and May 2026, case filing statistics in these districts showed an average reduction of 62.02% compared to the same period the previous year.
Specific decreases included family court cases (down 51%), partition suits (down 66.97%), and dowry prohibition cases (down 67.71%). Other types of cases, such as those under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, also saw notable declines.
The minister attributed these figures to the requirement that certain disputes must first pass through mediation at District Legal Aid Offices before cases can proceed to court. He emphasized that this process both saves time and cost for litigants and helps reduce the judicial backlog.
The successful pilot led to the extension of mandatory mediation to ten additional districts as of 21 July 2026. The programme was supported by international partners and launched under the amended Legal Aid Services Act.
Context
Bangladesh faces a longstanding backlog of nearly 4.5 million pending cases. The government introduced mandatory mediation in selected districts to address this issue, targeting cases that can be effectively resolved outside court.
The pilot was supported by donor agencies and involved local legal aid offices, with the intention to encourage judges to refer suitable pending cases to mediation and promote public awareness of mediation and free legal aid.
Why It Matters
- Significant reduction in new case filings helps relieve pressure on courts and could accelerate the resolution of existing cases.
- The success of the pilot may encourage similar procedural reforms in other jurisdictions struggling with overwhelming case backlogs.
- Promoting mediation and access to free legal aid may improve justice for disadvantaged populations.