The newly inaugurated ODR initiative aims to save litigants time, money, and effort while creating greater opportunities for accessible and people-centred dispute resolution.© Friendship
By Friendship News Desk,
23 August, 2026
The inauguration ceremony was held on Friday, 21 August, with senior
representatives from the judiciary, legal aid authorities, local administration,
and civil society in attendance. The initiative is being piloted under
Friendship’s Inclusive Citizenship programme in collaboration with the
Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid.
Chad Mohammed Abdul Alim Al Razi, Senior District and Sessions Judge,
Khulna, was present as the Chief Guest, highlighting the growing need for
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) amid the country’s substantial backlog of around
four million cases and limited number of judges involved directly in judicial
proceedings. He noted that mediation and conciliation can help resolve disputes
more efficiently while reducing the time, cost, and hardship associated with
prolonged litigation. “This not only provides a lasting solution to disputes
but also helps preserve family, neighbourhoods, and business relationships,” he
said.
He also underscored the potential of technology to improve access to
justice in geographically remote areas such as Paikgacha, where travelling to the district town can be difficult for
many communities. Judge Al Razi called for the expansion of ODR in other
remote areas such as Koyra.
Barrister Ayesha Taasin Khan (centre), Head of Inclusive Citizenship, at the launching ceremony on 21 August. © Friendship
Masuda Yeasmin, Deputy Director (Administration), Directorate of
Bangladesh Legal Aid joined the event virtually and emphasised that ODR
complements, rather than replaces, the formal judicial system by strengthening
existing legal aid and mediation mechanisms.
Ayesha Taasin Khan, Senior Director and Head of Inclusive Citizenship at
Friendship chaired the event. She mentioned how geographical distance, travel costs,
and financial constraints continue to prevent many marginalised communities
from accessing legal services. “The main objective of Friendship’s ODR Centre
is to reduce these barriers through technology and bring justice closer to
people’s doorsteps,” she said.
Joining the event virtually, Masuda Yeasmin, Deputy Director (Administration), Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid, described ODR as a timely initiative that can make access to justice easier, faster and more affordable.© Friendship
Through the new centre, eligible parties will be able to participate in
virtual mediation sessions using a designated digital platform, reducing the
need for repeated travel to the district town, which usually takes two or more
hours by road. The event was attended by special guests Abu Saeed, Chief
Judicial Magistrate, Khulna; Md. Hazrat Ali, Senior Civil Judge, Paikgacha
Chowki; Masum Bilya, Judicial Magistrate, Senior Judicial Magistrate Court,
Paikgacha Chowki; Mst. Romana Afroza, District Legal Aid Officer, and other
judicial, government and local stakeholders.
The launch marks an important step towards using technology to extend
legal information and dispute resolution services to communities that face
significant barriers to justice.