Mediation mandatory before filing cases under 8 laws in 12 dists
No one can now file cases directly with the courts under eight laws, including the Family Courts Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act, in 12 districts.
The districts are Faridpur, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Satkhira, Kushtia, Cumilla, Noakhali, Rangamati, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Sunamganj.
Under the new provision, which came into effect on Thursday (September 18), mediation at the District Legal Aid Office has been made mandatory before such cases can be taken to court.
Earlier, on Tuesday (September 16), the National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) issued a public notice in this regard. The following day (September 17), the provision was formally inaugurated in Sylhet by Dr Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
According to the public notice, under the powers conferred by Section 1(2) of the Legal Aid (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, mandatory pre-litigation mediation has been introduced in the districts.
Cases under the following laws will no longer be filed directly in court:
1. Cases under Section 5 of the Family Courts Act, 2023
2. Disputes under the House Rent Control Act, 1991
3. Distribution disputes under the jurisdiction of Assistant Judge Courts
4. Acquisition disputes under the State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950
5. Acquisition disputes under the Non-Agricultural Tenancy Act, 1949
6. Disputes under the Maintenance of Parents Act, 2013
7. Complaints under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 2018
8. Complaints of dowry-related abuse under Section 11(ga) of the Prevention of Women and Child Repression Act, 2000
The public notice also states that every mediation agreement certified by the Chief Legal Aid Officer (Judge) will be final, enforceable, and binding on the parties. It will be considered a decree or final order in court.
To mark the launch of the new provision, an inaugural ceremony was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Grand Sylhet Hotel & Resort, with Asif Nazrul attending as the chief guest.
He said, “If the next government maintains the changes we have made, access to justice in the country will expand, and the poor and marginalised will have significantly greater opportunities for legal remedies.”
He added, “We have separated civil and criminal courts to ensure faster disposal of cases in civil courts. The power to create judicial posts has been transferred from ministers to the Chief Justice.”
Regarding mandatory mediation, Asif Nazrul said, “Firstly, visiting Legal Aid before filing a case has become mandatory. Secondly, certain specific laws have been brought under the mediation process. Thirdly, Legal Aid will now be managed by senior Joint District & Sessions Judges and retired District & Sessions Judges.”
He added, “Retired judges have been included because they are experienced, respected, and physically capable.”