Dhaka: The government in its bid to amend the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000, has issued the gazette of Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. As per the ordinance, legal aid services would be deemed as providing legal advice and assistance to the financially insolvent, helpless, and those unable to obtain justice due to socio-economic reasons in cases that can be filed, have been filed, or are pending in any court.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ordinance further outlines the provision for paying honorarium to mediators appointed for settling disputes or cases through mediation. This includes the special mediator appointed under this Act in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act No. V of 1908) and other prevailing laws.
The ordinance also stipulates providing other assistance, such as paying relevant costs of the case, offering legal information and advice to applicants, and settling any pre-litigation dispute through mediation. It extends to the settlement of cases referred by any court or tribunal through mediation.
The National Governing Body will be led by the minister or adviser of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs as its chairman. The members will include two members of parliament, one from the ruling party and another from the opposition, along with key figures such as the attorney general, various secretaries from relevant ministries, the registrar general of the Supreme Court, the inspector general of police, the inspector general of prisons, and senior representatives from the Bangladesh Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, and various NGOs and women federations. The executive director of the National Legal Aid Services Organization will serve as the member secretary by virtue.