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The judge makes subtle use of her power and authority. She creates space for this by
With her authority the judge can encourage the persons involved to change their attitude or behavior in ways that will contribute to relationships that are workable on a long term, without imposing unnecessary pressure on people or relationships.
Especially in Common-Law countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, many justice projects have been developed that work in this way. These forms of justice can therefore be labeled as socially sustainable.
We made intensive studies of these sustainable justice projects and visited many of them. We talked with those who work there or are involved in them. In this way, we formed a vision of the social significance and effectiveness of these forms of justice and of their possible application in the Dutch and other Western legal systems.
Read more about the projects we have studied and visited through the links below.
Community Courts
Drug Courts
Problemsolving Courts
Family Courts
Intercultural Justice
Judicial Mediation
In legal theory, new movements emerged that support and stimulate the working practices of these courts, such as Procedural Justice and Therapeutic Jurisprudence.
Read more about socially sustainable legal-theoretical movements through the following links:
Procedural Justice
Therapeutic Jurisprudence