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Writer's pictureSuzanne Visser

What is sustainable justice

Updated: Jan 10, 2023

“The entire legal profession – lawyers, judges, law teachers – have become so mesmerized with the stimulation of the courtroom contest that we tend to forget that we ought to be healers – healers of conflicts. Doctors, in spite of astronomical medical costs, still retain a high degree of public confidence because they are perceived as healers. Should lawyers not be healers? Healers, not warriors? Healers, not procurers? Healers, not hired guns?”

Warren Burger, Chief Justice USA, 12 February 1984


Alexander de Savornin Lohman, senior Dutch jurist and founder of the Centre for Sustainable Justice in Utrecht, the Netherlands, has published about sustainable justice and shared his ideas at conferences worldwide. He may well be the first to have used the term “sustainable justice.” His work is summarised and explained on his website: www.sustainablejustice.org


Because sustainable justice is a young concept, the definition is still in flux. we use the following definition at the moment, it was written by AI:


"Sustainable justice is a concept that refers to applying principles of fairness and equality to promote the long-term sustainability of society and the environment. It involves considering the needs of future generations and ensuring that the use of natural resources and the distribution of benefits and burdens are equitable and do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable justice also involves addressing the root causes of social and environmental problems rather than just treating the symptoms. It is a holistic approach that seeks to balance the needs of individuals and communities with the need to protect and preserve the natural world.

It wants to ensure that criminal laws, institutions and policies achieve just justice outcomes and result in a just society."


This definition replaced the former one:


"Sustainable justice combines sustainability’s three-pronged approach: environment, society and economics.

It wants to make sure that criminal laws, institutions and policies achieve just justice outcomes and result in a just society.

When such justice is achieved, it makes sure criminal laws and criminal justice institutions, policies, and practices that achieve justice in the present do not compromise the ability of future generations to have the benefits of a just society."


One thing is certain: The definition of sustainable justice will continue to evolve over the coming years.








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