Sustainable Justice, A Social Responsible Focus on Innovation in Justice

Abstract

Following the UN Conference on the Human Environment of 1972 and The Limits to Growth report published in the same year, an internationally coordinated, planned approach has ensured that thinking in terms of sustainability has penetrated all sectors of society. Social Responsibility, which is based on sustainable development, has become a determining factor for international companies and international organisations alike throughout the world. This change process has taken place relatively quickly and successfully, especially in business and international organisations and it is also beginning to take a hold in the judiciary. This Chapter discusses the substantive and organisational aspects of this development process. We have formulated universal core principles of Social Sustainability for the judiciary. These principles were derived from various Declarations and Development Goals by the United Nations, the Earth Charter, the OECD Guidelines, the ICC Business Charter, and the ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility. The Sustainable Justice Charter 1.0, which is co-signed by scientists and professionals with international influence from many parts of the world, is based on these principles. The authors have also examined the way in which the increasing complexity of social issues call for both a top-down and bottom-up organisation of the legal system to ensure that it functions successfully and in a sustainable manner. This Chapter highlights examples of socially sustainable justice system projects that have already been realised and also provides directions for successful mainstreaming of these and other sustainable justice innovations.