Origins of Restorative Justice

The use of restorative approaches to crime and conflict resolution is not a new phenomena. In England it formed the basis of Anglo-Saxon law before the Normans arrived. It has not suddenly arrived upon us as an innovative concept for a modern world of deviance and criminality.

Ancient cultures in the UK and Worldwide have practised RJ, some as a basis upon which to build current legal systems, for example in Asia and Africa. For others, (UK, Europe) it was completely lost for a time to an emphasis on punitive retribution.

The original philosophy of RJ remains unchanged and encompasses forgiveness, healing, reparation for harm, accountability to those who have been offended against, mercy and compassion.

Taken from “Practitioner Guide to Restorative Approaches” Walker, Richardson and Walker 2004

“I didn’t realise the effect I was having on the other student and that he was so unhappy”

Conference participant

“That group of students are behaving much better in my class now” Teacher, two weeks after a conference "