It will take time to resolve complicated cases: Law minister

The nation's litigation issues were not created in a single day, and it will take time to resolve them, said Law Minister Anisul Haq. 

The minister was speaking virtually as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Development Planning Experience in Bangladesh" at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Sunday, organised by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Anisul Haq said, the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the first to try to resolve the country's litigation problems.

"It will take time to resolve these issues because a judge cannot be created overnight, neither can a system be instantly transformed," he added.

The minister continued, "The judiciary did not have the necessary infrastructure at the time of its separation on 1 November 2007. After Sheikh Hasina took over the government, recruitment of new judges began, infrastructure was built, and training and logistical facilities for judges were introduced as well." 

At the same time, a concerted effort is being made to reduce the number of cases by resolving disputes out of court through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), he said, adding, "We will definitely reap the benefits."

Anisul Haq also said that past administrations did not favour judges – either in terms of their independence, salary allowances, or benefits.

Md Moinul Kabir, the secretary of the Department of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, presided over the seminar. The keynote was presented by the member of the General Economics Department of the Bangladesh Planning Commission and Senior Secretary Md Shamsul Alam.

Md Mohiuddin, Joint Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs division, also spoke at the event, among others.