13/08/2026
๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ | ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐-๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฌ
The Government of Bangladesh has introduced mandatory pre-case mediation in 30 districts under the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2026, pursuant to a notification dated 30 July 2026.
The mediation mechanism applies to certain disputes, including:
โข Cheque dishonour cases under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, where the cheque amount does not exceed Tk. 3 lakh; and
โข Dowry-related torture cases under section 11(c) of the Nari O Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain, 2000.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐:
Faridpur, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Satkhira, Kushtia, Cumilla, Noakhali, Rangamati, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, Munshiganj, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Kurigram, Narsingdi, Jhenaidah, Magura, Lakshmipur, Bogura, Thakurgaon, Patuakhali, Bhola, Natore, Jashore, Shariatpur, Cox's Bazar, Panchagarh and Tangail.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ?
For disputes falling within the specified categories in these districts, parties will now need to consider the pre-case mediation requirement before initiating court proceedings.
The initiative represents an important development in Bangladesh's growing use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, with the potential to resolve suitable disputes at an earlier stage and reduce unnecessary litigation.