Law Minister Asif Nazrul has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing legal aid services across the country without relying on external donor funding

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser, Prof Dr. Asif Nazrul, has reiterated that the government will continue providing legal aid services independently, without depending on foreign grants, while ensuring efficient use of resources to save litigants’ time, effort, and money.

Addressing the National Conference on ADR: Role of District Legal Aid Committees in Implementing New Legislations at a Dhaka hotel on Monday, Prof Nazrul said, “Even without a single penny from grants, we will sustain legal aid services throughout our tenure. Our goal is to establish systems that will continue serving people well beyond our term.”

He stressed that accessibility and effective use of infrastructure are crucial to making legal aid more impactful. “If legal aid is easily available, countless disputes can be settled quickly and at very low cost,” he remarked.

Noting the effectiveness of the system, Prof Nazrul highlighted that 90 percent of recipients have expressed satisfaction, with cases typically resolved in a fraction of the time compared to regular courts. He also suggested considering mandatory legal aid to broaden its reach.

The adviser announced that by December 2026, the government aims to handle 200,000 cases per month through legal aid programs nationwide.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, European Union Ambassador Michael Miller, and UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller also addressed the event. The keynote paper was presented by Syed Azad Subhani, Executive Director of the National Legal Aid Services Organization, while Law and Justice Secretary Sheikh Abu Taher delivered the closing remarks.