"Village Court Act" refers to an important law currently in force in Bangladesh, through which access to justice at the rural level has been made easier. The main objective of this law is to resolve minor civil and criminal disputes at the village level quickly, at low cost, and in an informal manner.
The currently applicable law in Bangladesh is:
Key features of this law:
A Village Court is established in each Union under the jurisdiction of the Union Parishad.
The court consists of a total of 5 members:
1 Chairman (the Chairman of the Union Parishad),
4 members nominated by the parties—2 from each side (plaintiff and defendant).
The Village Court generally hears minor civil and criminal cases where the monetary value or compensation is limited (approximately up to 3,00,000 BDT, subject to changes through amendments).
It includes matters like petty quarrels, minor assaults, threats, and small thefts.
The scope for appeal against the decision of the Village Court is limited.
The procedures are simple, with minimal formalities, and designed to suit the rural context.
To ensure affordable, speedy, and effective justice for rural communities.
To reduce the burden on police stations and formal courts.
Following the 2006 law, several amendments have been made, such as:
Village Court (Amendment) Act, 2013
Village Courts (Amendment) Act, 2023
Planning and Implementation: Cabinet Division, A2I, BCC, DoICT and BASIS