Raiyan Rahman (1611220)

Report Title: ADR Field Experience Report

From: Raiyan Rahman (ID -1611220)

To: Dr. Rana Parvas Sattar (Assistant professor at Department of Law, IUB)

Activity Venue and Date: Village Court at Kaligonj, Gazipur on 7 March,

2019

Participants: 40 Participants (Including Guests)

 Raiyan Rahman (1611220)

1) Introduction:

On 7th March, 2019, Dr. Rana Parvas Sattar on behalf of his ADR class and Department

of Law, IUB conducted a study tour to a Village Court in Kaligonj, Gazipur where all his

students experienced first hand how an actual Village Court operates.

2) Contexts:

(2.1) Objective of the Activity:

Integrate new perspectives and implement practicality with informal environments to

enhance our understanding on how an actual village court operates.

(2.2) Thematic Background:

The government of Bangladesh is trying to strengthen local justice systems in rural areas

by establishing low-cost village courts that would deal with minor, non-criminal cases,

which aims at ensuring collective justice and widespread access of such to marginalized

people.

3) Key Activities Undertaken:

(3.1) Listening to the speech the Chairman and his members.

(3.2) Observing a live Village Court Trial and taking notes of the procedures.

(3.3) Q & A session with the Chairman and his members.

4) Discussion Points:

(4.1) In reality, the Village Court did not follow every single procedure as stipulated by

law.

(4.2) The Village Court aims to facilitate a decision that is beneficial for both parties.

(4.3) The decision of the Village Court is binding when their decision is unanimous.
 Raiyan Rahman (1611220)

5) Other Activities:

(5.1) Had lunch together at a local hotel

(5.2) Visited our classmates village home and had pitha (Local Bengali snack)

(5.3) Had an interactive ‘fun’ session

6) Lesson learnt and Experience Gained:

(6.1) Understood that The Village Court plays a vital role and is the most effective form

of judicial justice, in my opinion.

(6.2) Experienced firsthand, for the first time what an actual Village Court trial session is

like

(6.3) Learnt a lot about the background and history of the Village Court from people who

constitute the Village Court and especially Dr. Rana Parvez Sattar Sir, who brought this

concept to Bangladesh.

7) Conclusion:

Lastly to conclude, I would like to emphasize on how beneficial it was to actually

experience firsthand what going to a judicial environment and witnessing a live trial was

as to the procedures and my overall understanding of Alternate Dispute Resolution. I

would recommend more study tours as it adds a different dimension to our overall study

of the subject of law.