The Role of Union Parishad in Rural Dispute Resolution: A Case Study

Abstract

The Union Parishad, a century-old local institution in Bangladesh, has long served as a key service delivery body founded and operated by rural residents. To make local justice more accessible, the Village Court system was introduced in the mid-1970s to strengthen Shalish, the traditional informal justice mechanism. These courts offered an alternative to the lengthy and expensive formal judicial process. However, over time, poor performance and weak institutional capacity reduced their significance. To revitalize them, the Government of Bangladesh, with support from the European Union and UNDP, launched the “Activating Village Courts Project,” which has improved their effectiveness and accessibility. Despite challenges such as weak record-keeping, limited staff capacity, and low public awareness, Village Courts play an essential role in resolving rural disputes, maintaining peace, and reducing the burden on formal courts. Governed by the Village Court Act of 2006, they protect rural citizens from the complexities of the formal justice system. Strengthening these courts requires expanding their jurisdiction, improving training, increasing oversight, and enhancing public awareness through government and NGO initiatives. With sustained support and nationwide expansion of successful initiatives, Village Courts can become a practical and credible alternative for rural justice in Bangladesh.