Play store
Bangladesh’s first Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Center has been inaugurated at the Paikgachha Chauki Court premises in Khulna.
Established by the non-governmental organisation Friendship in collaboration with the Judiciary, the centre was officially launched on Friday (August 21) by Khulna Senior District and Sessions Judge Chand Mohammad Abdul Alim Al Raji.
Joining the event virtually, Director General of the National Legal Aid Services Organization Manjurul Hossain said the ODR initiative would make access to justice easier, faster and more affordable for marginalized people in remote areas while complementing the existing legal framework.
Delivering the chief guest’s address, Judge Al Raji said more than four million cases are currently pending in courts across Bangladesh. Given the limited number of judges, he said, resolving the backlog through traditional court proceedings alone is nearly impossible, making Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) increasingly important.
“Supreme Court records show that there are 1,964 judges in district courts, with nearly 200 on deputation. While formal litigation leaves one party as the winner and the other as the loser, mediation encourages mutual compromise and helps preserve family and community relationships,” Judge Al Raji said.
He added that the ODR system would save significant time and travel expenses for residents of remote coastal areas such as Paikgachha and Koyra.
Presiding over the event, Ayesha Taasin Khan, Senior Director and Head of Inclusive Citizenship at Friendship, said digital tools could remove geographical and financial barriers and bring justice closer to citizens.
Khulna District Legal Aid Officer Romana Afroz attended the event as a special guest. Advocate Ashiquzzaman, Assistant General Manager (Law) at Friendship, gave an overview of the operational structure of the ODR centre.
Paikgachha Chauki Court Judicial Magistrate Masum Billah, Civil Judge Hazrat Ali, Upazila Executive Officer Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury and Paikgachha Bar Association President Advocate G M Abdus Sattar were also present.
Earlier, on August 15, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman inaugurated a coordination meeting on accelerating digital legal aid in Gazipur. He noted that while technology can simplify access to legal services, potential risks associated with integrating artificial intelligence (AI) must be carefully managed.