Mandatory Mediation in Bangladesh Pilot Districts 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 those districts.
- Mediation is now required under the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026 for several dispute categories.
- The programme expanded to 10 more districts to further ease court backlog.
Overview
Bangladesh's Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman announced that mandatory pre-litigation mediation in selected districts resulted in an average 62% reduction in new court case filings. The announcement was made as the programme expanded to 10 more districts, aiming to address the backlog in the country's courts.
What Happened
On 21 July 2026, Bangladesh's Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman reported that mandatory pre-litigation mediation piloted in 20 districts led to an average reduction of 62% in new filings across several case categories.
Notable reductions included a 51% drop in Family Courts Act cases, a 67% drop in Civil Judge court partition suits, and a 67.71% drop in Dowry Prohibition Act cases.
The minister inaugurated the extension of the mandatory mediation programme to 10 additional districts and called for referring suitable pending cases to District Legal Aid Offices to further reduce judicial backlog.
The expansion operates under the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026, requiring certain disputes to undergo mediation before court filing. Development partners Jica, GIZ, and UNDP are providing support for implementation.
Context
Over 4.5 million cases are reportedly pending in Bangladesh's courts, creating a severe backlog.
The government introduced mandatory pre-litigation mediation in select districts to address this issue, initially targeting seven types of cases.
The minister called for increased referrals to District Legal Aid Offices and highlighted the importance of public awareness and anti-corruption measures in the mediation process.
Why It Matters
- The reported drop in new case filings could significantly relieve pressure on Bangladesh's judicial system and help tackle its longstanding court backlog.
- Implementation reflects a shift towards alternative dispute resolution in the country.
- The programme emphasizes the importance of coordinated efforts by legal professionals, the judiciary, and legal aid offices.