Crisis in Legal Aid: Who really gets Justice in Rural Courts?
Legal aid is a fundamental right that aims to ensure justice
for all , especially the poor and marginalized . The Bangladesh Legal Aid Act of 2000 requires
the government to provide free legal services to financially insolvent
individuals through National
and District Legal
Aid Committees . Despite this
provision , rural areas
face a serious
justice gap due
to insufficient implementation , lack
of awareness , and
a shortage of
resources . As a result, many
rural residents are
still deprived of
their legal rights
and fair justice.
Access to justice in rural Bangladesh is hampered by
numerous obstacles . Geographically , courts and legal aid offices
are often located
far from villages ,
making them difficult
to access . Economically , many
rural residents cannot
afford travel costs
, legal fees
, or documentation
costs . Socially , illiteracy ,
gender bias ,
and fear of
authority prevent people
from seeking legal aid .
These factors , combined , hamper
the ability of
the rural poor
to fully exercise
their legal rights
and obtain fair
and speedy justice.
Rural areas of Bangladesh are severely
lacking in legal
aid lawyers . Most skilled lawyers prefer to
practice in urban
centers due to
better opportunities and
resources . As a result, legal
aid in villages
is often provided
by inexperienced or
insufficiently qualified lawyers , impacting the
quality of representation . This shortage undermines
confidence in the legal aid system and deters the rural poor from seeking legal
aid , thus exacerbating the gap in access to justice.
In 2025 ,
Bangladesh's legal aid
system remains under
pressure , particularly in
rural areas where
59.5% of the
population lives . Although it has helped more than 413,000
people since 2009 , only
about 35,000 of
the 500,000 cases
annually are resolved
through legal aid . The
situation is exacerbated by the
shortage of trained
lawyers in rural
areas . The Village Courts
project shows great promise , with an 82
% case
resolution rate and
high user satisfaction . However
, urgent reforms ,
increased funding , increased
awareness of legal
issues , and the
attraction of skilled
legal professionals are
imperative to bridge
the justice gap.
The rural judicial system in Bangladesh faces significant
challenges from pervasive corruption and prolonged procedural delays. An
accumulation of unresolved cases causes trials to extend over many years which
prevents the delivery of swift justice. Influential figures manipulate systems
to favor their interests, causing political power to interfere with equitable
processes. The judicial system is widely corrupt , with judges
and legal practitioners
demanding bribes to
expedite cases or
secure favorable judgments . These issues
diminish public confidence in the justice
system and inflict
disproportionate harm on
the most disadvantaged
individuals who lack
the means to
combat or resist
such corruption.
Public awareness and knowledge of the law remain woefully
inadequate in rural Bangladesh . Many villagers are unaware of their
legal rights or
the existence of
free legal aid
services offered by the government . This ignorance is fueled by a lack
of education, the
limited reach of
legal aid committees ,
and cultural barriers . As a
result , the rural poor often lack access to justice , suffer exploitation ,
and remain excluded from the formal legal system that is supposed to protect
them.
Gender inequality significantly hinders women's access to
justice in rural Bangladesh . Many fear
retribution from their families or communities if they pursue
legal action , particularly
in cases of
domestic violence or
property disputes . Furthermore , a
shortage of female
legal aid lawyers
and the absence
of gender - sensitive procedures
further restrict their
access to justice . These obstacles
leave many women
without protection or
legal recourse. In rural areas,
access to justice is particularly difficult for women . According to NLASO , of
the 413,000 legal
aid recipients since 2009
, only about 205,823
were women ,
highlighting a gender
imbalance . Many women ,
particularly in situations
of domestic violence
or inheritance , refrain
from taking legal
action due to
fear , stigma , or a lack of
female lawyers , further
restricting their access
to fair justice.
A closer look at Bangladesh's rural justice system reveals
structural inequalities supported by data .
While legal aid has reached 413,000 people since 2009 , this
represents only a
small fraction of
the total legal
need , with over
500,000 new cases
each year . Despite
representing almost half
of beneficiaries ,
women continue to
experience cultural and
systemic exclusion . The
91% satisfaction rate
in village courts
highlights their potential . However , the
lack of funding
and shortage of
lawyers underscore the
urgent importance of
evidence - based reforms.
Union councils and village courts play a vital role in
resolving small disputes in rural Bangladesh through informal community
mechanisms . They provide speedy and inexpensive justice compared to formal
courts . However, their effectiveness
is hampered by a lack
of legal training
, political interference , and
gender bias . There is also often overlap with the formal
justice system , resulting in confusion and inconsistent legal outcomes for
rural citizens seeking justice.
Legal Aid Committees in Bangladesh face significant financial and administrative challenges . With insufficient budgets , they struggle to recruit competent lawyers , organize outreach programs , or provide logistical support . Many offices , particularly in rural areas , lack adequate infrastructure , adequate equipment , and trained staff . These constraints severely hamper the committees ability to provide effective legal aid , leaving vulnerable populations without effective access to justice or adequate legal representation.
The legal aid crisis in rural Bangladesh has serious
consequences for poor and marginalized populations , who generally cannot
afford legal representation . As a result , many are denied access to justice
and basic legal
rights , such as
protection from exploitation , violence ,
and land disputes .
Without proper legal support , they are forced to abandon their claims
or accept unfair settlements . This amplifies social inequality and perpetuates
a cycle of poverty , where justice remains inaccessible to those who need it
most.
NGOs and civil society organizations play a crucial role in
bridging the justice gap left by the state in rural Bangladesh . They organize legal awareness campaigns ,
train paralegals , and offer
free legal assistance
when government services
are insufficient .
These associations often support
women , minorities , and disadvantaged
people in understanding
legal procedures . By
advocating for legal
reforms and empowering
communities , they improve access
to justice and
complement the initiatives
of formal legal
aid institutions in
neglected areas.
The digital divide
in Bangladesh significantly
hinders the effectiveness
of e - justice in
rural areas . Many rural communities lack access to stable
internet , digital devices , or the skills needed to use online legal services
. While e - justice platforms
can expedite case
processing and improve
transparency , their benefits
remain largely limited
to urban areas
. This technological
gap widens the
rural - urban justice gap ,
leaving rural citizens
further behind in
accessing modern , effective, and timely
legal remedies.
To improve the provision
of legal aid
in rural courts , various practical
reforms are needed .
Increasing budgets for legal aid services can improve infrastructure and
attract skilled lawyers to rural areas .
Regular training for
legal aid providers
and members of
village courts is essential . Expanding public awareness
campaigns will help improve legal literacy . Encouraging the use of
mobile legal clinics
and local mediation
centers can bring
justice closer to
citizens . Strengthened oversight , reduced political
interference , and
cooperation with NGOs
will ensure more
effective and equitable
access to justice.
The legal aid crisis in rural courts highlights the deep -
rooted inequalities in Bangladesh's justice system . Despite existing laws
and frameworks , the
rural poor continue
to face barriers
to accessing fair
and timely legal
remedies . Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach
that includes increased
funding , legal awareness , trained professionals , and
strengthened institutional support .
Only then can
true justice be
ensured for all , regardless of
location or socioeconomic
status.
MD. Noor Hamza Peash
LL.B. student, Department Of Law
World University of Bangladesh.