Dhaka: Village courts across 61 districts are offering swift and affordable justice, enabling poor and marginalized communities to resolve disputes with minimal cost and delay.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, criminal cases can be filed for just Taka 10, while civil matters require a fee of Taka 20. Although the legal framework allows up to 90 days for case disposal, recent data showed that most cases are being resolved within an average of 28 days.
Legal experts highlighted that village courts are particularly benefiting vulnerable groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, by providing easier access to justice. These courts also emphasized reconciliation between parties, fostering community harmony. However, many citizens still approach police stations or formal courts for minor disputes due to limited awareness of village court services.
The “Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh – Phase III” project, under the Local Government Division, is one of the major initiatives of the Government of Bangladesh with support from UNDP and the European Union. Its objective is to strengthen the village court system across the country as an effective local dispute resolution mechanism.
Talking to BSS, Moshiur Rahman Chowdhury, Legal Analyst of the project, said village courts are now functional in 61 districts. “We are taking various steps to make the system more active. Since people are not well informed about village courts, many cases that could be filed here are instead taken to police stations and conventional courts,” he said. He added that cases are being disposed of rapidly in village courts. “Although the law allows 90 days, on average disposal is completed in only 28 days,” he noted.
Village courts, established under the Village Court Act, 2006, operate at the union parishad level to resolve certain criminal and civil disputes locally and speedily. They can dispose of cases involving claims of up to Taka 300,000. No lawyer is required in these courts. Applicants must collect a form from the union parishad, fill it in properly, and submit it to the chairman along with the required fee of Taka 10 for criminal cases and Taka 20 for civil cases.
Village courts provide justice locally at minimal cost. Apart from the application fee, there are no additional expenses. The system helps reduce the backlog in higher courts while giving the poor and disadvantaged quick and easy access to remedies. Opportunities in village courts include quick, low-cost, and simple dispute resolution, where both the applicant and the defendant have equal rights to nominate representatives.
The scope of dispute settlement in village courts includes handling criminal cases such as theft, fraud, assault, and certain property offences, while civil cases may involve recovery of dues, possession of immovable property, and maintenance claims by wives. However, village courts cannot try serious offences such as rape, murder, abduction, or claims exceeding Taka 300,000.
Each village court consists of the union parishad chairman and four members, two nominated by the plaintiff and two by the defendant. If the chairman is absent, the panel chairman or another member presides. Filing of false cases in village courts may result in a fine of up to Taka 5,000, while contempt of court can lead to a fine of up to Taka 1,000.