Work on to ease 40% case backlog through legal aid: Asif Nazrul

The government is working to reduce the 40 percent case backlog in the courts through legal aid, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said today (28 April).

"Approximately five lakh cases are filed each year in the country, of which around 35,000 are disposed of through government legal aid. If we can increase this number to two lakh, the caseload in the courts will be reduced by about 40%," he said while addressing the inaugural function of National Legal Aid Day 2025 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

He further said, "We are considering making it mandatory to first approach government legal aid offices for cases involving family matters, cases filed under the Negotiable Instruments Act, or minor compoundable criminal offenses. Justice seekers can go to court if they do not find a remedy here."

The law adviser expressed hope that if these initiatives are properly implemented, the pressure of litigation and the suffering of people will be significantly reduced.

He stated, "After assuming charge of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, our main goal has become to reduce delays in judicial work, save time, and reduce costs. We have already started working towards this. 

"We are bringing some groundbreaking amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure. We are addressing issues such as hearings through affidavit, execution cases, and issuing summons. In addition, we plan to introduce comprehensive amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure within the next month. Our focus is to reduce the time and backlog of cases."

He went on to say, "Legal aid is a very important and innovative means of resolving disputes. We have big dreams for legal aid, and we are thinking completely differently. We have held meetings with legal service providers and concerned officials to advance this sector."

Highlighting the shortage of judges available to provide services to legal aid organisations, Dr Asif Nazrul said, "We are considering increasing the number of judges in our district legal aid offices to three. According to our calculations, there are still several thousand retired district and sessions judges in the country who remain competent for the job. They have extensive experience in judicial work, which will play a significant role in maintaining public faith in legal aid."

"We are thinking of inducting them here. If we can do this, within the next six months, the legal aid offices will reach a level where it will be possible to handle one lakh cases per year. In this way, we will make the necessary arrangements to handle two lakh cases in the next year, step by step," he added.

The inaugural function, conducted by NLASO Assistant Director (Monitoring) Arifa Chowdhury Himel, was attended by, among others, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Tröster, Supreme Court Registrar General Dr. Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Honorary Director Barrister Sara Hossain, judges and judicial officers, diplomats, foreign envoys, and concerned officials.

Earlier, at the start of the function, the law adviser inaugurated a legal aid fair and road show, which was attended by Law and Justice Division Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher and NLASO Director Syed Azad Subhani.

With the slogan, "There is no joy in conflict, compromise, brother; legal aid is by your side, no worries," the day is being observed throughout the country to ensure the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and justice for all.

Various programmes, including discussions, meetings, legal aid fairs, and the publication and distribution of magazines, souvenirs, and posters, have been organized at the district levels.