This book outlines key aspects of a growing trend within the Australian, United States, Canadian, New Zealand, United Kingdom and other legal systems towards the use of non-adversarial justice.
It examines in detail non-adversarial theories and practices such as therapeutic jurisprudence, restorative justice, preventive law, creative problem solving, holistic law, appropriate or alternative dispute resolution, collaborative law, problem-oriented courts, diversion programs, indigenous courts, coroners courts and managerial and administrative procedures.
It identifies the common themes, values and principles that bring these disparate theories and practices together and explicates them for practitioners, courts and students. It examines the implications of these changes on legal practice, the courts and legal education.
Reviews:
'...it is a useful guide to emerging areas of the law and alternatives to common practices where people have been operating in the same way for many years. The significant impact alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have had over time is examined in detail and give weight to the argument that alterantives are being favoured over litigation for more cost-effective and efficient results in resolving disputes.' - Law Institute Journal of Victoria, March 2010
'The book in its totality is highly commendable. It owes its beauty to the fact that it will provoke thought and even instigate far-reaching arguments not only between lawyers but by wider legal system functionaries, sociologists, psychologists and the broader community. The authors have splendidly dissected the plenary dimensions of non-adversarial justice.' - Nilay B Patel, Barriser and Solicitor of the High Courts of Australia and New Zealand, Alternative Law Journal, Vol 34 No 4, 2009
'I am not a lawyer, but I am a conflict resolution practitioner, and it was a pleasure to read this book that offered deepening's, reflections, and a comprehensive approach to the practice and the education of law and how this relates to justice.
Already being used as a Master book for a university subject, this book, published in Australia draws on the richness of both literature research, evaluation studies and the lived experiences of the authors bringing together a complete up to date guide on how non- adversarial justice is operating (dependent on political and financial support) in our present society. This book was written in Australia, and draws its richness and value not only from the detailed local knowledge of the systems, controversy, debates and happenings within the Australian borders, but takes us beyond incorporating places and practices that are have inspired and continue to add to the diversity of the what, why and in what conditions, non-adversarial justice is part of the living society.
Although this book could not be categorized as Chicken Soup for the Lawyer, it does offer an inspiring vibration that resonates with soulful justice.' - Lynn Cole's Global Mediation Blog - 10 November 2009
'[The authors] bring home the gold. The impact of Non-Adversarial Justice should deservedly be immense ?' - Professor David B Wexler, University of Puerto Rico
'The excesses of the adversarial system and the malaise that has descended upon the legal profession have prompted a basic rethinking of legal processes and the role of the lawyer. This book examines the emerging strands of what the authors call "non-adversarial lawyering." Many of these developments have originated or been refined in Australia.
American lawyers and judges have much to learn from this extraordinary book, which represents the future of the legal profession and the processes through which law is administered.' - Professor Bruce J Winick, University of Miami, USA
'Non-Adversarial Justice identifies the common themes, values and principles that bring these disparate theories and practices together and explicates them for practitioners, courts and students while examining the implications of these changes on legal practice, the courts and legal education.' - Law Society of SA Newsletter
