Utility of restorative justice in 21st centuary Nazir Mudassir1 1Research Scholar at Faculty of Law, Jamia Milia IslamiaNew Delhi. Abstract The criminal justice system that is currently being followed is ridden with several problems, delay in dispensation of justice and exclusion of victims’ interests being the most prominent ones. The system being dilatory and ineffective has led to a huge pendency of criminal cases in the courts, its adversarial nature has only proven to be cumbersome, focussing mostly on punishing the offender while leading to widespread dissatisfaction of victims with the existing criminal justice system. The system is bound to collapse hence the need is to adopt some radical alternatives. In such a scenario restorative justice seems like a silver lining to the gloomy state of affairs. Restorative justice processes is the recognition that when someone causes harm, they’re harming not only the individual that the violence is directed toward, but also the community. This not only acknowledges that individual acts of violence have ramifications for the entire community, but also provides the chance for the community to be involved in shifting norms and attitudes that contribute to the development of abusive behaviour patterns. While focussing over the alternative dispute resolution mechanism which will lead to cheap and speedy disposal of cases it focuses over empathy, mutual understanding, restitution and accountability. Restorative justice thus is the need of 21st century as it holds great promise as a set of values which promote healing and strengthen the social bonds which serve as the foundation of crime free, just and a peaceful society, while focussing over the matters of juvenile justice, property offences, family disputes etc., Top Keywords Justice, Compensation, Victimology, Justice, Restore. Top |