There are two recommended options for the project period:

1.  Start the project's draw down in September 2019 and end the project by December 2019; or

2.  Request the EUD for extension of 18 months to 2 years to allow time for the TPP to be signed for CHT where work can start as well as for government to recruit AACOs to enable the VCs to be self-sustaining.

In 2005, the VCs supported by MLAA discussed their findings in open courts and negotiated the compensation with the parties openly. Any ‘backroom’ discussions were discouraged, and all proceedings took place in open courts. We noted during the four trial observations that in each the panel adjourned to deliberate on their decision. The chairman then delivered the ruling (each of the four hearings was an arbitration not mediation) and compensation to be awarded. This goes against the spirit of restorative justice and open dealings which ought to characterise the VCs. To address this, the AVCB team develop a quick strategy for addressing this both through formal letters from the relevant authorities, as well as project notes to VCAs and follow up on the ground and in refresher training courses.

Eligibility for chairing the VC panel should be expanded to cover a cadre of respected members of the local community regardless of political affiliation.

VC forms and formats should be reviewed and revisited to see how many of them are actually needed. A new form should be created to report back the court- a) receipt of the case; and b) the result / outcome of the case.

If District and Upazila Village Courts Management Committee (VCMC) is activated properly, these committees will be able to play a significant role in monitoring the performance of the village courts. The government should send required circulars to the DCs and UNOs to make sure District and Upazila Village Courts Management committees sit separately to discuss the VC performance under their respective jurisdictions.

Activation of the DMIE (Decentralized Monitoring, Inspection and Evaluation) framework, which the AVCB aimed to support through LGD involving the DCs and UNOs to oversee the VC affairs, ensures its quality and accountability; and in the alternative, UNDP lends their technical expertise and comparative experience to LGD in drafting a Village Court Roadmap with agreed targets, time-bound and performance framework that is realistic and accountable.

The duty to convene a VC should be added to a list of the 39 duties currently set down in the UP Act 2009.

The VC Act needs to be amended on following areas.

1.  Section 5 (5) should be deleted;

2.  Schedule of offences should be revised to include the type and nature of the offence (with examples in support) so as to emphasise the minor and petty nature of the dispute. Land disputes, for instance, should only be those that are simple to resolve and the value should attach to the area of land in dispute.

3. Emphasis should be placed in the VC Act on transparency of the process at all stages.

Stories from the VCs should be developed and put on the air in the four most popular TV channels.

The Ward Shavas, Open budget meetings, Public hearings and Upazila level Women Development Forums should be approached to communicate the VC message (especially to women).

District Information Offices are mandated to increase public awareness about government projects, programs and policies. This office can be used to help raising the awareness of the local people about the village courts. A directive sent by the Ministry of Information would be needed to activate the District Information Office to this end. Alternatively, an instruction from the DC office should be sent to the District Information Office, requesting the office to popularize the concept of VCs covering different UPs and Upazilas under the district. A joint meeting should be also organized involving the District Administration, UNDP and the District Information Office to reach consensus and discuss the modalities of future cooperation on the front of awareness raising about the village court.

Using the Government media, such as BTV and Bangladesh Betar, would help raise awareness of the VCs. This modality would also be cost-effective.

A directive from Cabinet Division/LGD should be sent to the DCs and UNOs to organize the NGO coordination meetings. NGOs will be persuaded to take part in the awareness raising campaign along with their regular activities in the rural areas.

In consultation with BLAST and MLAA, a strategy is developed for engaging with the Bar.