DHAKA, July 8, 2025 (BSS) - The government in its bid to amend the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000, has issued the gazette of Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

As per the ordinance, legal aid services would be deemed as providing legal advice and assistance to the financially insolvent, helpless and unable to obtain justice due to various socio-economic reasons in cases that can be filed, have been filed or pending in any court.

Paying honorarium to the mediator appointed for the purpose of settling any dispute or case through mediation or to the special mediator appointed under this Act in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act No. V of 1908) and other prevailing laws, the gazette also said.

Providing any other assistance, including paying the relevant costs of the case, providing legal information and advices to any applicant, settlement of any pre-litigation dispute through mediation, settlement of cases referred by any court or tribunal through mediation, it added.

National Governing Body would be headed by the minister or adviser of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs as its chairman.

Members of the governing body would be two members of parliament, one from the ruling party and another from the opposition, attorney general, secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, secretary of the Law and Justice Division, secretary of the Public Security Division, secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, registrar general of the Supreme Court, inspector general of police, inspector general of prisons, Bangladesh Bar Council vice chairman, Supreme Court Bar Association president, chairman of Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha, three representatives from law and rights related NGO's, three representatives from women federations and the executive director of National Legal Aid Services Organization, who would be its member secretary by virtue.