Highlights:
- Asif Nazrul says his reforms in law and justice are historic.
- New ordinance introduces mandatory pre-litigation mediation to resolve disputes quickly.
- The system aims to reduce time, cost, and unnecessary court cases.
- First phase of implementation begins September 18 in 12 districts.
- Public can still file cases if mediation does not resolve the dispute.
Historic Reforms in Law and Justice
Asif Nazrul, Advisor to the Interim Government on Law, Justice, and Parliament, stated that the legal reforms introduced by his office will ensure fair and proper justice for ordinary citizens if future governments continue these initiatives.
Launch of Mandatory Pre-Litigation Mediation
On Wednesday (September 17), at Grand Sylhet Hotel, Asif Nazrul spoke at the inaugural event of the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance-2025, which introduces mandatory pre-litigation mediation to settle disputes before going to court.
He emphasized:
“আমরা প্রায়ই শুনি, আপনি কি করেছেন? শহীদের রক্তের উপর আপনি এখানে বসেছেন? আমরা আপনাকে এখানে বসিয়েছি? আমি বলতে চাই, আমি তো ফুটবল খেলোয়াড় বা মঞ্চের অভিনেতা না যে, আমি যা করছি তা দেখতে পারবেন। আমি কি করছি তা আমার কাজের মধ্য দিয়ে দেখতে পারবেন। আমি অনেক কাজ করেছি যা বাংলাদেশের ইতিহাসে কোনোদিন হয়নি।”
Translation: “We often hear, ‘What have you done? You are sitting here on the blood of martyrs? We placed you here?’ I want to say, I am not a football player or a stage actor whose work you can just watch. What I am doing, you will see through my work. I have done many things that have never been done in the history of Bangladesh.”
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How the System Works
Asif Nazrul explained that this new system allows many disputes to be resolved quickly, with lower cost, and without filing a formal case.
“এই মাধ্যমে অনেকের মামলা ছাড়া কম সময় ও কম খরচে বিরোধ সমাধান হচ্ছে। মামলা করার আগে বাধ্যতামূলক মামলাপূর্ব মধ্যস্থতার কার্যক্রমের দারস্থ হতে হবে। পরে চাইলে মামলায় যেতে পারবেন।”
Translation: “Through this system, many disputes are resolved in less time and at lower cost without filing a case. Before going to court, one must go through mandatory pre-litigation mediation. After that, if necessary, they can still take the matter to court.”
Scope of the Ordinance
According to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliament, the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance-2025 expands legal aid and makes it more dynamic.
Disputes under this ordinance now include:
- Family disputes
- Parental maintenance
- House rent issues
- Advance purchase and property distribution
- Dowry-related matters
Phase-Wise Implementation
The first phase of mandatory pre-litigation mediation will start September 18 in 12 districts, including Sylhet.
At the inaugural ceremony at Grand Sylhet Hotel, Asif Nazrul highlighted the importance of mediation in reducing unnecessary litigation and ensuring citizens get timely justice.
Source: TBS
