Dhaka, August 4 (V7N) - On August 1–2, 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the Law and Justice Division (LJD) of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI), organized a Basic Mediation Training for legal professionals at JATI. This training was part of the ‘Development of Mediation and Civil Litigation Practices for Enhancement of Access to Justice Project’ (A2J Project) and aimed to improve the mediation knowledge and skills of legal professionals who may serve as mediators, ultimately promoting more effective mediation services across Bangladesh.

The A2J Project, launched in April 2024 by JICA and the LJD, seeks to strengthen access to justice in Bangladesh. The project previously conducted a foundational mediation training course at JATI in November 2024, followed by an advanced course in February 2025.

The recent training combined interactive lectures with practical role-play exercises. It featured expert instruction by Professor IRIE Hideaki, a renowned mediation specialist from Japan, who shared insights on international mediation standards and practical applications. A total of 50 participants took part, including judges, district legal aid officers, lawyers from the pilot districts Narsingdi and Cumilla, and officials from relevant judicial institutions. Since the inception of the project, 240 judges, lawyers, and officials have received mediation training.

The program concluded with a certificate ceremony, during which Professor IRIE awarded certificates to participants. The event was attended by Mr. Sheikh Abu Taher, Secretary of the Law and Justice Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Mr. ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office.

Mr. Ichiguchi emphasized the importance of judicial reform as a national priority and reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s justice system transformation in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.3, which focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice.

Mr. Sheikh Abu Taher highlighted the significance of mediation within the justice system, noting that while adherence to rules and techniques is critical, equal attention must be paid to the emotions and needs of the parties involved in mediation.

JICA expressed confidence that the trained legal professionals would apply their newly acquired knowledge to enhance mediation services. The participants are expected to serve as ‘Special Mediators’ under the recently amended Legal Aid Services Act, helping to advance mediation practices. The project aims to increase dispute resolution through mediation, reduce case backlogs, and improve access to justice for all citizens.

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