Mediation best option to reduce case backlog: Law Minister 

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said that mediation is an effective dispute resolution mechanism capable of significantly reducing the country's judicial backlog while ensuring faster, more affordable and people-centered access to justice.

Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of a two-day "Basic Mediation Training for Legal Professionals" in Dhaka on Saturday, the minister said that effective mediation could substantially reduce the nearly 4.5 million cases currently pending before courts across the country.

The training programme was organized under the project titled "Enhancing Access to Justice through Mediation and Improvement of Civil Litigation Procedures," implemented jointly by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

"Mediation is a practical and efficient means of resolving disputes that saves litigants time, money and mental distress while ensuring speedy and affordable justice," the minister said.

He reaffirmed that ensuring justice for poor, marginalized, disadvantaged and human rights-victimized citizens remains one of the government's highest priorities. The government, through the National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO), continues to work to bring justice to people's doorsteps, he added.

Highlighting the qualities required of mediators, Asaduzzaman said legal expertise alone is insufficient. Successful mediators must also possess empathy, wisdom, patience and the ability to build trust between disputing parties. In this regard, he encouraged participants to read the Japanese book Justice with a Smile, saying it offers valuable insights into developing a humane approach to dispute resolution.