Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Source: (2006) In Anthony J. W. Taylor, ed., Justice as a Basic Human Need. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Pp. 61-69.

“The emergence of therapeutic jurisprudence from the conventional practice of law is catching on in many jurisdictions, because it restructures the judicial process in such a way as to encourage more satisfactory participation from the major participants — the judge, the offender, and the victim. It sprang from the need to make the proceedings more relevant for the purpose of justice — i.e. the reparation of harm done to the victim, and the reformation of the offender. This chapter describes the process and underlines the key concepts that are already in operation in some jurisdictions. The outcome so far is sufficiently positive to encourage its adoption elsewhere.” (excerpt)