"There are 1,225 cases logging for 30 to 35 years, 85 for 20 to 25 years, 1,337 for 15 to 20 years and 4,594 for 10 to 15 years," Moudud said at an opinion exchange programme on the Code of Civil Procedure (Second Amendment) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2003 at the CIRDAP auditorium.

Citing the shortage of judges as a major reason for delay, he said 152 judicial officers have been awaiting appointment for four years due to a Supreme Court order, which ruled illegal the appointments made by the Public Service Commission.

"Currently 171 posts of the judicial officers are vacant," he added.

The law minister said 25 to 30 per cent of the cases filed across the country are either false or aimed to harass the opponent.

The amended law imposes a provision of compensatory cost up to Tk 1 lakh and no less than Tk 10,000 in respect of false cases or vexatious claims or defences.