Justice

The Group works in various areas of justice given that justice is not restricted to law or formal legal systems, but more broadly encompasses the principles of fairness, reasonableness and equity. Justice, like all areas of knowledge of the Just Governance Group, is inter-connected and integral to human rights, democratic development and conflict prevention and transformation.

The Rule of Law -- the premise that everyone, including government authorities, is subject to the law and equal under the law -- is critical to the concept of justice in a democracy. Respect for the rule of law ensures powers are kept in check and that tensions and conflicts between individuals, groups and the State are fairly resolved.

Consistent with the Group's commitment to diversity and human rights, justice is approached from the idea of pluralism. That is, it is accepted that there are multiple justice systems or practices in a national context, including state, indigenous, religious, cultural and community-specific systems. While the degree of pluralism in a country may vary, it is incumbent on the State to ensure coordination and respect among justice systems.

The individual and institutional members of the Just Governance Group have significant combined expertise in the following areas of justice and the law:

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