Cannot afford a lawyer? The law of Bangladesh ensures that no one is denied justice simply because of financial hardship. Here is a complete guide to your rights and the free legal aid available to you.
What is Legal Aid and Why Does It Exist?
Legal aid is the provision of free legal representation, advice, court assistance, and document support to persons who are unable to afford the cost of legal services. In Bangladesh, this right is formally institutionalised through the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 (Act No. VI of 2000), which was later strengthened by amendment in 2013, and operationalised through the Legal Aid Services Rules, 2014.
The constitutional foundation of this right lies in Article 27 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which guarantees equality before the law, and Article 31, which guarantees the right to protection of law as an inalienable right of every citizen. More specifically, Article 33(1) of the Constitution provides that any person who is arrested must be informed of the grounds of arrest and must be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice. This constitutional mandate enshrines access to legal counsel of one’s choice as a fundamental right. The separate right to free legal counsel flows from the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000.
The National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO)
The primary government body responsible for delivering free legal aid is the National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO), established under Section 3 of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000. NLASO functions under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and operates through a structured hierarchy across the country.
Under Section 5 of the Act, the management and administration of NLASO is governed, and under Section 6, the National Board is constituted, chaired by the Minister of Law, to oversee and direct the legal aid programme at the national level. At the district level, District Legal Aid Committees are constituted under Section 9 of the Act, chaired by the District Judge, to receive and process applications and assign panel lawyers. At the grassroots level, Upazila and Union Legal Aid Committees operate under Section 12 of the Act to ensure that legal aid reaches people even in remote areas.
Following the Legal Aid Services (Amendment) Act, 2013, a dedicated Supreme Court Legal Aid Office (SCLAO) was established in 2015, extending free legal aid to litigants pursuing cases before the High Court Division and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. This means legal aid coverage now spans every tier of the judicial system, from union and upazila courts all the way up to the apex court.
Who is Eligible?
(Legal Aid Services Rules, 2014)
The following categories of persons are entitled to apply for free legal aid:
- Persons who are financially insolvent and cannot afford to pay for legal services
- Women involved in any civil, criminal, or family dispute, particularly victims of domestic violence, dowry-related offences, or sexual assault
- Children and minors involved in any case, including those in conflict with the law
- Persons with physical or mental disabilities
- Victims of human trafficking, including those rescued from trafficking networks
- Members of ethnic minority and indigenous communities facing legal disputes
- Workers or labourers whose annual income does not exceed BDT 1,00,000 (one lakh)
- Recipients of government social safety net programmes such as VGD, VGF, or old-age allowance
- Persons in custody or remand who cannot secure legal representation on their own
- Acid attack survivors and victims of any form of violence against women
What Kind of Help is Available?
Under Section 2(a) of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000, the legal aid provided includes:
- Free legal advice and consultation on any civil, criminal, or family matter
- Appointment of a panel lawyer to represent the applicant before any court or tribunal, entirely free of charge
- Court fees and stamp duty waiver in appropriate cases
- Free supply of certified copies of court documents, judgments, and orders as specifically provided under Section 19 of the Act
- Bail applications filed on behalf of indigent accused persons
- Assistance with filing writ petitions before the High Court Division where fundamental rights are violated
How to Apply for Legal Aid (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Approach the Appropriate Office
Visit the District Legal Aid Office located within the District Judge Court.
Alternatively, you may approach the Upazila or Union Legal Aid Committee depending on your location and the nature of your case, as established under the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000.
Step 2: Submit an Application
Submit a written application describing:
- Your legal problem
- Your personal circumstances
- Your inability to afford legal services
No formal legal expertise is required, and assistance is available from the office staff under the Legal Aid Services Rules, 2014.
Step 3: Scrutiny by the Committee
The relevant Legal Aid Committee examines the application in accordance with the Legal Aid Services Rules, 2014, and may request supporting documents such as:
- Proof of income
- Relevant case papers
Step 4: Approval and Assignment of Lawyer
If the application is approved:
- A lawyer from the approved panel is assigned
- The lawyer will handle all necessary legal work, including filing and court representation
These services are provided without cost under the framework of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000. In practice, courts or custodial authorities may also facilitate access to legal aid for indigent or unrepresented persons.
Alternative Access (Hotline & Digital Access)
National Toll-Free Legal Aid Hotline
Call 16430
Available during office hours for immediate legal advice, guidance on how to apply for aid, and referral to the nearest legal aid office. This helpline is free of charge and accessible from any mobile or landline number across Bangladesh.
Digital Services
BD Legal Aid App: Available for download to access online legal services
Email: director@nlaso.gov.bd
Messenger: Contact bdnlaso
NGOs and Civil Society Organisations Offering Free Legal Aid
Alongside the government system, several non-governmental organisations also provide free legal aid and support services to vulnerable persons:
- BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust): provides legal aid, advice, and litigation support, particularly in labour, women’s rights, and human rights cases
- Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK): offers legal aid, mediation, and rights-based advocacy, especially for women and marginalised communities
- BNWLA (Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers’ Association): focuses on legal aid for women and children in cases of violence, trafficking, and family law
- BRAC: provides community-level legal aid and paralegal support across rural Bangladesh
- RUPANTAR: delivers legal aid and awareness programmes in southwestern Bangladesh
- National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh: can receive complaints and refer matters involving fundamental rights violations
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Not every legal dispute needs to go through a full court trial. Under Sections 89A and 89B of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (as amended), courts in Bangladesh are empowered to refer civil and family disputes to mediation before or during trial proceedings. NLASO facilitates free mediation and arbitration services, which can resolve disputes, particularly family, inheritance, land, and matrimonial matters, far more quickly and with less stress than prolonged litigation.
This is a particularly valuable option for women in family law disputes and for parties involved in minor civil disagreements who wish to avoid the time and cost of formal court proceedings.
Prepared by: Kazi Jobayer Mahmud Bappy
Member of the Legal Assistance Department, ANUKUL