By Jahangir Alam DHAKA, April 26, 2026 (BSS) - For many in Bangladesh, seeking justice often means long court queues, repeated hearings and prolonged uncertainty. But for some, that journey begins not in a courtroom, but in a district legal aid office. A growing number are turning to district legal aid offices, where Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is providing quicker and more accessible solutions beyond the courtroom. Jara Rezwan, a resident of Gendaria in Dhaka, is one such example. Married in 2013 and mother to a son born in 2016, she said her marital life soon turned difficult, alleging lack of maintenance and involvement of her husband in illegal activities. She supported herself and her child through tuition work.   On March 31, 2025, her husband pronounced triple talaq and later left for Sweden for studies. She later filed for divorce and moved to court seeking dower and child support, but eventually approached the Dhaka District Legal Aid Office on July 23, 2025, for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). After verification, a hearing was held on August 27, where both parties reached a settlement on dower and child maintenance, signing an agreement the same day. The case reflects a growing shift in justice delivery through ADR, offering faster and less costly resolution outside traditional court proceedings. According to the Legal Aid Directorate, 199,957 cases were resolved through ADR from 2009 to March 2026. During this period, ADR initiatives were taken in 220,890 cases, benefiting 390,874 people. In total, 1,437,736 people received free legal services, including access across higher and lower courts, labour courts, and prisons.   Dhaka District Legal Aid Officer (Senior Civil Judge) Sayem Khan told BSS that Legal Aid provides legal advice, out-of-court dispute resolution and free legal representation funded by the government. He said settlements reached through Legal Aid carry the force of a court decree and can be enforced through the court if violated, without filing a fresh case. Under the National Legal Aid Services Act, 2000, pre-litigation settlement is mandatory for selected family and minor civil disputes, with ADR activities currently operating in 20 districts. Supreme Court lawyer Khalid Hossain told BSS that ADR is a government-run system managed by the National Legal Aid Services Organisation, where both pre-case and post-case disputes are resolved through mediation between parties. He said agreements reached are legally enforceable and help reduce court burden while ensuring quick and cost-free dispute resolution. Jara Rezwan said Legal Aid gave her a sense of access to justice that she believed was out of reach. "The door is always open. It is called Legal Aid. You sit, you speak, and no one asks if you have money," she said.    

CHATTOGRAM, April 25, 2026 (BSS) - The three-day Baishakhi Fair at Chattogram's historic Laldighi Maidan has drawn large crowds, centering on the traditional Abdul Jabbar Memorial Bolikhela. Traders and visitors from different regions have gathered, turning the area into a lively hub of festivity. However, the fair is set to conclude Saturday, one day earlier than planned, to avoid inconvenience for students attending the upcoming SSC examinations. On the final day, the fair saw a surge in visitors from morning, with many rushing to buy essential household items. Stalls lined the areas from Kotwali More to Andarkilla and Cinema Palace, offering a wide range of goods including flower brooms, hand fans, clay items, kitchenware, saris, bangles, jewelry, plant seedlings, seasonal fruits, toys, and agricultural tools. Artisans were busy giving finishing touches to clay products, while customers actively bargained. Toy seller Jashim Uddin said children's items like tom-tom cars remained popular, expressing hope for strong sales before closing.  Clay artisan Narayan Das also reported steady demand for traditional items such as pots, pitchers and decorative pieces. Shaukat Anwar Badal, member secretary of the organizing committee and grandson of Abdul Jabbar Saudagar, confirmed the early closure. He said the decision was made to ensure smooth movement for SSC candidates heading to their exam centers on Sunday.