Legal Pluralism Document Database by Subject

Access to Justice  |    Constitution Making  |   Gender  |    Human Rights  
   Institution Building  |    Judiciary and Courts  |    Land and Property  
   Legal Systems and Profession  |    Training and Capacity Building  |     Transitional Justice

Please note that links to the actual documents are coming soon!

Access to Justice

Title "Access to Justice." United Nations Development Program.

Abstract 		This document lays out the UNDP’s strategies to increase poor and disadvantaged people’s access to justice, including the strengthening of informal justice systems, using a human rights-based approach.
Countries Global
Document Type Best Practice
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Enhancing the Delivery of Justice and Security: Justice, Peace and Security." OECD.

Abstract 		The report discusses the role and realities of security and justice mechanisms in fragile states, and articulates guidelines for donors and others interested in strengthening the security environment in such states.
Countries Global
Document Type Report, Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Review of Experience in Engaging with 'Non-state' Justice Systems in East Africa." Nyamu-Musembi, Celestine.

Abstract 		A DFID-commissioned assessment of non-state justice mechanisms in East Africa, aimed at increasing access to justice for the underprivileged.
Countries Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Programming for Justice: Access for All, a Practitioner's Guide to a Human-Rights Based Approach to Access and Justice." United Nations Development Program.

Abstract 		A practitioner's guide to facilitate programming in human rights-based approaches to access to justice.
Countries Global
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Doing Justice: How Informal Justice Systems Can Contribute." Wojkowska, Ewa.

Abstract 		A UNDP guide for practitioners working on access to justice.
Countries Global
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Non-state Justice and Security." Department for International Development.

Abstract 		Discusses strategies for donors, states, and NGOs to work with and in support of non-state justice systems.
Countries Global
Document Type Mission Document
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Building Informal Justice in Northern Kenya." Chopra, Tanja.

Abstract 		Examines innovative grassroots conflict resolution initiatives undertaken by local NGOs and pastoralist societies in northern Kenya.
Countries Kenya
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Constitution Making (^top)

Coming soon!

Gender (^top)

Title "The Illusion of Inclusion: Women's Access to Rights in Northern Kenya." Ayuko, Bonita and Tanja Chopra.

Abstract 		This report discusses the barriers to justice that women face in rural Kenya in the context of informal justice systems.
Countries Kenya
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Human Rights (^top)

Title "Access to Justice." United Nations Development Program.

Abstract 		A "practice note" outlining the UNDP's commitment to increasing access to justice to disadvantaged populations.
Countries Global
Document Type Mission Document
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "When Legal Worlds Overlap: Human Rights, the State, and Non-state Law." International Council on Human Rights Policy.

Abstract 		A guidebook for practitioners and policy makers, providing an overview of the issues of legal pluralism, human rights, and access to justice.
Countries Global
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Institution Building (^top)

Title "Institutions and the East Timor Experience." Harrington, Andrew.

Abstract 		This paper focuses on "transitional" dispute resolution mechanisms in East Timor and their role within the larger justice system.
Countries Timor Leste
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Justice vs. Peace in Northern Kenya." Chopra, Tanja.

Abstract 		This report discusses grassroots dispute resolution mechanisms working well in northern Kenya. The government has moved to institutionalize these ad hoc efforts, a process which has manifested tension between Western conceptions of 'justice' and local peace.
Countries Kenya
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Participatory Intervention." Chopra, Jarat and Tanja Hohe.

Abstract 		Examines the role of local participation in large-scale international, nation-building interventions. The article critiques the approaches to participation in past interventions, and offers recommendations for the future.
Countries Afghanistan, Somalia, Rwanda, Timor Leste
Document Type Article
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Why Peacebuilding Contradicts Statebuilding: Notes from the Arid Lands of Kenya." Chopra, Tanja.

Abstract 		Describes how successful peacebuilding initiatives can undermine statebuilding, focusing on the case study of Kenya.
Countries Kenya
Document Type Article
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Customary Law in the Crossfire of Sudan's War of Identities." Deng, Francis M.

Abstract 		Presents role of customary law in contemporary Sudan, and the local debates about its relevance.
Countries Sudan
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Judiciary and Courts (^top)

Title "Justice without Judiciary in East Timor." Hohe, Tanja.

Abstract 		Chronicles UNTAET's efforts to build a judiciary in East Timor, and discusses customary law and perceptions of justice in East Timor.
Countries Timor Leste
Document Type Article
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Reconciling Society and the Judiciary in Northern Kenya." Chopra, Tanja.

Abstract 		Investigates why the judiciary is ineffective in rural Kenyan regions, and offers recommendations for better coordinating the judiciary with local practices.
Countries Kenya
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Land and Property (^top)

Title "LEMU: Land Rights Reports on Uganda." Judy Adoko and LEMU.

Abstract 		Presents specific land rights issues addressed by the Land and Equity Movement in Uganda.
Countries Uganda
Document Type Mission Document
Date Added 9 November 2009

Legal Systems and Profession (^top)

Title "The Law People See: The status of dispute resolution in the provinces of Sierra Leone in 2002." Alterman, Owen, Aneta Binienda, Sophie Rodella, and Kimyia Varzi.

Abstract 		This report examines the different dispute resolution mechanisms functioning in Sierra Leone's provinces in 2002. It also investigates local perceptions of justice, and puts forth recommendations for improving formal and informal systems.
Countries Sierra Leone
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Customary Law and Policy Reform: Engaging with the plurality of justice systems." Chirayath, Leila, Carline Sage and Michael Woolcock.

Abstract 		This paper discusses the importance of customary legal systems, often neglected by policymakers, in developing societies. It specifically extracts lessons from the government approaches to customary systems in three African states.
Countries Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa
Document Type Best Practices
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Non-state Justice Systems in Latin America. Case Studies: Peru and Colombia." Faundez, Julio.

Abstract 		The report describes the structures, strengths, and weaknesses of non-state justice systems in Colombia and Peru.
Countries Peru, Colombia
Document Type Article
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "The Predicament of the 'Oday': the role of traditional structures in security, rights, law and development in Somalia." Gundel, Joakim.

Abstract 		The study examines the current role of customary law in different parts of Somalia. It includes recommendations for building the country's governing institutions on the foundation of customary practice.
Countries Somalia
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Informal Justice: Rule of Law and Dispute Resolution in Palestine." Birzeit University Institute of Law.

Abstract 		An in-depth study of the context, development, and practice of informal justice in Palestine.
Countries Palestine
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Justice and Rule of Law: Traditional and Informal Justice Systems." Peacebuilding Initiative.

Abstract 		An in-depth overview of justice and rule of law issues in post-conflict peacebuilding contexts.
Countries Global
Document Type Web Resource
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Non-state Justice Systems in Southern Africa: How should governments respond?" Scharf, William.

Abstract 		An examination of non-state justice in six African countries, with best practices for governments interacting with them.
Countries South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique
Document Type Report, Best Practice
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "When Legal Worlds Overlap: human rights, the state and non-state law." International Council on Human Rights Policy.

Abstract 		A guidebook for practitioners and policy makers, providing an overview of the issues of legal pluralism, human rights, and access to justice.
Countries Global
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Access to Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa." Stevens, Joanna and Penal Reform International.

Abstract 		A handbook providing an overview of the role of customary law in sub-Saharan Africa, with case studies from several countries.
Countries Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Many Roads to Justice: the Law-related work of the Ford Foundation grantees around the world." McClymont, Mary and Stephen Golub, editors.

Abstract 		A collection of case studies and thematic articles on grant-funded legal projects in many countries.
Countries South Africa, China, United States, Bangladesh, Phillipines
Document Type Best Practices
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Non-State Justice Systems in Bangladesh and the Phillipines." Golub, Stephen.

Abstract 		A comparative exploration and analysis of non-state justice systems in the Philippines and Bangladesh.
Countries Bangladesh, Phillipines
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Training and Capacity Building (^top)

Title "Mediation Manual." Madaripur Legal Aid Association.

Abstract 		A manual on mediation adapted to a Bangladeshi/Muslim context.
Countries Bangladesh
Document Type Tool
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Empowerment and Local Level Conflict Mediation in Indonesia: A Comparative Measure of Concepts, Measures, and Project Efficacy." Gibson, Christopher and Michael Woolcock.

Abstract 		An evaluation of a community "empowerment" program in Indonesia, contextualized in a larger discussion of how "empowerment" can be best defined and fostered.
Countries Indonesia
Document Type Evaluation
Date Added 9 November 2009

Transitional Justice (^top)

Title "Traditional Justice and Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Learning from African Experiences." Huyse, Luc and Marc Salter.

Abstract 		A resource and practice guide that examines the utility of traditional justice mechanisms to foster reconciliation in post-conflict. The report examines five recent African cases in depth.
Countries Rwanda, Mozambique, Uganda, Burundi, Sierra Leone
Document Type Tool, Best Practice
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "The Commission of Truth and Friendship Indonesia-Timor Leste: Competing Concepts of Justice." Harrington, Andrew.

Abstract 		This paper examines the work of East Timor's Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) in the context of different approaches to, and perspectives on, transitional justice.
Countries Timor Leste
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009

Title "Institutions and the East Timor Experience." Harrington, Andrew.

Abstract 		This paper focuses on "transitional" dispute resolution mechanisms in East Timor and their role within the larger justice system.
Countries Timor Leste
Document Type Report
Date Added 9 November 2009