Pre-filing mediation can ease burden of country's 45 lakh pending cases: Law Minister

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday said effective implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) could reduce the number of pending cases in the country to around twenty lakh within the next year.

"Mandatory pre-filing mediation must be expanded to reduce the backlog of pending cases in the country and ensure speedy and accessible justice for the people," he said while inaugurating, virtually, the mandatory pre-filing mediation programme in 10 districts from the ministry's conference room.

Asaduzzaman said around 45 lakh cases are currently pending across the country, placing pressure on the judicial system.

"If disputes can be resolved before cases are filed in court, litigants will save time, money and hardship, while the burden on the courts will also be reduced," he said.

The initiative has produced results and, if implemented more effectively, could reduce the country's case backlog, he added.

According to the minister, after launching pre-case mediation in 20 districts under a pilot project, the number of cases filed under various laws during February-May 2026 declined compared with the same period in 2025.

Cases filed under the Family Courts Act fell from 3,559 to 1,744, marking a reduction of about 51 percent. Partition-related cases under the jurisdiction of civil judge courts declined from 2,001 to 661, a decrease of 66.97 percent.

Pre-emption cases under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act dropped from 17 to two, a decline of 88.24 percent, while cases under the Non-Agricultural Tenancy Act fell from 31 to 14, down 54.84 percent. Cases under the Dowry Prohibition Act decreased from 5,605 to 1,810, a reduction of 67.71 percent, and cases under the Parents' Maintenance Act dropped from 43 to 35, a decline of 18.60 percent. Overall, the number of cases filed declined by an average of 62.02 percent.

The law minister said that if the inflow of new cases into the courts can be reduced in this way, the number of pending cases can be brought down rapidly.

He also urged judges to refer pending cases that can be settled through discussion to district legal aid offices for mediation, saying this would expedite the judicial process.

He said if the courts, district legal aid offices, lawyers and all concerned work together, it may be possible to reduce the number of pending cases within the next year.

Addressing journalists, the minister said the media can play an important role in raising public awareness about mediation activities conducted through legal aid. He sought the cooperation of the media in informing people that the government-funded programme is providing free legal assistance and quick access to justice for poor and marginalised communities.

Referring to Cox's Bazar district, where more than 100,000 cases are currently pending, he urged district judges, judicial officers and others concerned to take initiatives to reduce the case backlog within the next three months. He said progress would be reviewed on Sept. 30.

The minister also said the support provided by JICA, GIZ and UNDP in implementing the pre-case mediation programme is commendable and thanked the development partners for their cooperation.

Addressing mediators, he said they should view the responsibility not merely as a job but as a public service and a challenge. However, he reiterated the government's "zero tolerance" policy against any form of corruption in the mediation process.

He said collective efforts could help establish an effective, speedy and people-friendly judicial system.

At the end of the programme, the law minister inaugurated mandatory pre-case mediation activities simultaneously in 10 districts – Bogura, Thakurgaon, Patuakhali, Bhola, Natore, Jashore, Shariatpur, Cox's Bazar, Panchagarh and Tangail.

Under Section 21Kha of the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026, mandatory pre-case mediation has been introduced in these districts. From now on, disputes under seven specified laws in these districts must first be taken to the district legal aid office for mediation before a case can be filed in court.