With the exception of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Local Government Reform Commission has suggested that two fully functional civil and magistrate courts be established in each upazila nationwide within two years.
Additionally, it recommended creating a “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)” office in each upazila across the nation, with the standing of a senior assistant judge court.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told BSS that the Local Government Reform Commission’s report, which was due to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, contained the suggestions.
The commission proposed abolishing “village court” of union parishad and acknowledging formally the arbitration system at ward level.
It stressed the need for ensuring the jurisdiction of the ADR courts and providing administrative support for overseeing the arbitrations and appeal hearing.
The commission also proposed establishing infrastructures to set up three ADR offices in every district of Chittagong Hill Tracts and ensuring connection between ADR magistrates and the headmen-karbari and village/ward level arbitration.
It emphasized the necessity of keeping an eye on the ADR magistrates’ arbitrations in the upazilas where plain-land ethnic minority have been residing and extending the monitoring to the ethnic community.
According to the commission, district courts would be intermediate courts, upazila courts would be lower courts (subordinate courts), and district judges would oversee both the district and upazila courts.
It was suggested that the National Bar Council recognize upazila bar associations and take action to establish upazila-level bar associations.
*
Email *
Website
