Abstract

This Chapter comprises four parts.The first introduces the concept of restorative justice as a way of responding to crime and examines the international literature. The second provides an overview of the development of restorative justice practices in Northern Ireland, where the particular conditions created by the Conflict and subsequent period of transition have led to the evolution of parallel restorative justice initiatives from both a community-based and statutory origination. The third part examines the development and use of restorative justice in the Republic of Ireland, where it is located within the criminal justice system. And the fourth is a concluding critical analysis of restorative justice in the two jurisdictions.