February 2008 Edition
New Guidelines for Implementing Mediation in Europe; Court Ruling Upholds Principles of Restorative Justice, Overturns Shaming Sanction; Legislating the Use of Victim Offender Mediation in Portugal;Book Review: The Little Book of Dialogue for Difficult Subjects; Video Review: Facing the Demons; Website of the Month: NetCare
New Guidelines for Implementing Mediation in Europe
In November 2007, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) issued Guidelines for a Better Implementation of the Existing Recommendation Concerning Mediation in Penal Matters. The document urges member states of the Council of Europe to further develop the understanding and use of penal mediation and restorative justice in all aspects of the criminal justice system.
Court Ruling Upholds Principles of Restorative Justice, Overturns Shaming Sanction
In January, a ruling from the High Court of South Africa (Eastern Cape Division) set aside a lower court ruling requiring a defendant convicted of six counts of fraud to publicly wear a placard announcing her guilt and asking her victims for forgiveness. In setting aside this one aspect of the sentence, the High Court referenced both the unconstitutionality of the sanction and its departure from the principles of restorative justice.
Legislating the Use of Victim Offender Mediation in Portugal
In July 2007, Portugal enacted "Law no. 21/2007 of June 12" regulating the use of victim offender mediation. The legislation outlines cases in which mediation can be used, the process for referral, limits on mediation agreements, and the criteria for mediators. This article provides a summary of a larger article written by Paulo de Brito, Justice Auditor from the Centre d’Études Judiciares in Lisbon, describing the development of victim offender mediation in Portugal within the larger European framework.
Book Review: The Little Book of Dialogue for Difficult Subjects
The Little Book of Dialogue for Difficult Subjects offers practical advice for developing and facilitating dialogues in a variety of settings.
Video Review: Facing the Demons
Facing the Demons is the story of a restorative conference held in a murder case.
Website of the Month: NetCare
NetCare provides consultation and training services on restorative practices to schools, youth justice agencies and welfare agencies throughout the UK and Ireland. This website describes its work, services offered, and the application of restorative justice in various settings.
Job Openings in Restorative Justice
These position descriptions are taken verbatim from announcements received by RJ Online editors in the past month.
