DHAKA, Aug 12 (BSS) – The High Court Division of the Supreme Court has issued a landmark directive paving the way for the official launch of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), specifically mediation services, at the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office.
 
This strategic move, approved by the Chief Justice, is designed to facilitate the resolution of disputes at the primary stage, offering litigants a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional litigation.
 
The initiative was formalised through a notification, issued by the Administration Branch of the High Court Division.

The directive, dated August 9, 2023, conveys the formal permission of the Chief Justice to conduct mediation proceedings within the legal aid framework.

Signed by High Court Division Deputy Registrar (Administration and Judicial) Md Al-Imran Khan, the notification marks a significant shift in the administrative handling of legal aid cases.
 
Under the new directive, mediation services at the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office are authorised for specific legal matters. The Supreme Court has identified several key acts and sections where ADR can be applied to settle disputes effectively at the primary stage.
 
The concerned sections and the acts are: Section 5 of the Family Courts Act, 2023, Section 5 of the Parents Maintenance Act, 2013, Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 2018, Section 11(Ga) of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, Sections 143, 447, 448, 323, 324, 325, 354, 379, 380, 381, 406, 417, 420, 494,, 500, 501, and 511 of The Penal Code, Sections 8, 9, 12, 39, 42, and 54 of The Specific Relief Act, 1877, and Section 138 of The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.