Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said the government may amend laws to require lawyers to handle at least 10 percent of their cases pro bono, ensuring justice for poor and helpless citizens at no cost.
“There are more than 40 lakh pending cases at the (lower) courts and 80,000 lawyers across the country. Many lawyers are moving toward shortcuts to earn money instead of focusing on commitment to the profession. These tendencies are arising due to a lack of proper training. Every lawyer must maintain ethical standards at a high level,” he told a discussion marking National Legal Aid Day 2026 at the Supreme Court Auditorium in Dhaka. The event was organised by the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee.
"Lawyers will be brought under training. An agreement has already been signed between Bangladesh Bar Council and a British law farm to this effect," he added.
The minister also stressed the need for higher budget allocation for the judiciary, pointing out that while the sector generates Tk 15,000 crore annually, it receives only Tk 2,200 crore -- less than Bangladesh Television’s Tk 2,500 crore allocation.
"This disparity reflects the current state of our country’s judicial sector. As the law minister, I agree with any reasonable demands you may have. I assure you that I will stand by you, breaking through all barriers if necessary. Whether it requires raising the issue in parliament or presenting it in the cabinet, I am prepared to do so," he said.
Asaduzzaman recalled that legal aid was first introduced in 1994 under then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and said the government continues efforts to expand the initiative.
Speaking as special guest, Justice Farah Mahbub, a judge of the Appellate Division of the SC said 199,957 cases were resolved through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) since 2009, while 1,437,736 citizens received direct legal assistance. “This success shows legal aid is not merely a compassionate initiative; rather, it is an effective, result-oriented judicial mechanism,” she said.
The function was chaired by Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque, Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee. Other speakers included Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Registrar General Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee, Legal Aid Directorate DG Md Monjurul Hossain, and Supreme Court Legal Aid Officer Md Imtiazul Islam. Judges, lawyers, officials, and representatives of foreign development partners also attended.
