Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday said effective mediation could significantly reduce the backlog of around 4.5 million cases pending in courts across the country.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day Basic Mediation Training for Legal Professionals programme at Hotel InterContinental in the capital, the minister said mediation saves litigants time, money and mental distress while ensuring faster justice.

The training was organised under the project titled Mediation and Civil Case Management System Development to Increase Access to Justice.

Asaduzzaman said ensuring justice for the poor, marginalised, disadvantaged and victims of human rights violations remains one of the government's priorities.

He said the Bangladesh Legal Aid Department has been working to deliver justice to people's doorsteps.

He said mediators need not only legal knowledge but also humanity, wisdom, patience and the ability to build trust between disputing parties. In this regard, he encouraged participants to read the Japanese book Justice with a Smile, saying it would help them develop a more humane approach to dispute resolution.

The minister said there is a common perception that lawyers are often reluctant to encourage settlements, but in reality they play an important role in many successful mediations and arbitrations both at home and abroad.

He said a positive culture of negotiation-based dispute resolution is gradually developing within the legal profession and should be further strengthened.

Describing mediation as beneficial for both parties, Asaduzzaman said prolonged court proceedings often consume years, financial resources and considerable effort, while also causing mental stress and other health problems.

He said a culture of resolving most disputes through mediation should be promoted, except in cases involving murder and other serious cognisable offences.

Under the project, the best-performing female and male mediators will receive advanced training in Japan, he said, expressing hope that the initiative would encourage mediators to perform their duties more efficiently, impartially, transparently and professionally.

The minister thanked the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Professor Miyatake Masako of Keio University Law School, and all others involved in the project.

He also expressed hope that cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan would continue to grow and stressed the need to increase the number of direct flights between Dhaka and Narita.