SJC Exchange Library

Research shows that when litigants believe the court process is fair, they are more likely to comply with court orders and the law generally. This concept – called “procedural justice” – refers to the perceived fairness of the procedures and interpersonal communications that defendants and other litigants experience in the courthouse and courtroom, as distinguished from distributive justice, which refers to the impressions derived from case outcomes (i.e. whether the litigant ultimately “won” or “lost” the case). Numerous studies have linked procedural justice to increased
compliance with court orders and reduced recidivism.

This resource is not intended to be comprehensive but rather a sampling of the types of interactions that can enhance perceptions of fairness.
#ProceduralFairness #CourtPractices​​