"We are going to introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the criminal dispute settlement addressing the compoundable offences through compromises," he said at the ministry's monthly press briefing, held to highlight the advantages of ADR in civil disputes.

The ADR facilitates settlement of a dispute with a mediator at a court on the basis of mutual agreement of the parties concerned but without undergoing the conventional prolonged legal procedures.

The ADR is an arrangement that eases a conflict resolution procedure with the minimum period of time at the lowest expenses, the minister said.

The civil cases that otherwise would have taken four to five years for disposal in the existing 'adversarial system', are now resolved in four to five months with the ADR, he said.

A total of 7338 civil cases (except family and Ortha Rin disputes) have been resolved across the country during the period between July 1, 2003 and April 30, 2005 by ADR, said the minister.

State Minister for Law Muhammad Shahjahan Omar and Ministry Secretary Md Alauddin Sarder, among senior officials, were present at the briefing.