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, Directorate of Bangladesh Legal Aid, Local Government Administration, lawyers 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, neighborhoods, 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 more 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. The objectives, legal framework, operational process, and nationwide replication of Friendship’s pioneering ODR Centre were presented by Advocate Ashiquzzaman, Assistant General Manager (Legal) at Friendship’s Inclusive Citizenship sector.
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: Mst. Romana Afroza, District Legal Aid Officer, Khulna; Masum Billa, Judicial Magistrate, Paikgacha Chowki Adalat; Md. Hazrat Ali, Civil Judge, Paikgacha Chowki Adalat; Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Paikgacha; Advocate GM Abdus Sattar, President of Paikgachha Lawyers Association, and other judicial, government and local stakeholders.
The launch marks a significant step towards leveraging technology to expand online mediation services for marginalised and remote communities facing geographical, financial, and logistical barriers to accessing justice.