Definitions and terminology

This chapter explores both the definitions that have been used in reference to traditional justice systems, sometimes called customary justice systems, as well as the appropriate terminology used to describe the actors in a traditional justice process. These subjects merit to be examined in depth as the existing literature uses a wide variety of terms, sometimes with a considerable lack of precision. It is important to understand what the terms used in this publication mean before analysing the human rights concerns that may arise in traditional justice systems.

Related Subject(s): International Law and Justice