Culture, Tradition and Alternative Justice: An Evaluation of Restorative Justice Developments in New Zealand and Northern Ireland

Abstract

This thesis is a piece of comparative research assessing the extent to which restorative justice may be said to resonate particularly with certain cultures. It focuses on two jurisdictions within which restorative justice features strongly, particularly in the youth justice context: New Zealand and Northern Ireland. The thesis will discuss the ways in which restorative justice has evolved over the years, from its earliest roots of community-based dispute resolution through to current practices of youth conferencing. It examines how effectively contemporary restorative justice practices have been integrated into the respective justice systems of these nations, and the factors which may have influenced this level of success. The cultural heritage of New Zealand and the unique social and political features within Northern Ireland are suggested as possible dynamics affecting the successful integration of restorative justice.