People-Centered Justice: An Approach to Strategy, Policy and Program Development

Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Task Force on Justice’s Justice for All report. People-centered justice has gained significant traction around the world. To date, over 60 countries have endorsed the principles of people-centered justice. The global and regional multistakeholder coalitions and alliances such as the Justice Action Coalition, the Ibero-American Alliance for Access to Justice, and the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice—along with multilateral organizations like the OECD and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are all very strong proponents of the approach.

People-centered justice stands for a collectively identified, fit-for-purpose approach to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general and SDG16.3 specifically on ensuring equal access to justice for all. In essence, people-centered justice is a commitment to put people and their needs at the center of justice system policies and initiatives.

While a ‘one-size-fits-all’ methodology for delivering people-centered justice is not possible, this series of practice notes seek to support interested key justice stakeholders in implementing the approach.

The introductory practice note serves as an ‘umbrella’ document for the series. It unpacks the concept of people-centered justice and highlights some key interventions that are needed to support and sustain people-centered justice strategies, policies, and programs. It is intended as a helpful preface to read in conjunction with the other practice notes.

• Practice Note 1 serves as a guide for judiciaries interested in transitioning to a people-centered approach to justice.
• Practice Note 2 serves as a guide for civil servants working in Ministries of Justice as well as other government employees in the line ministries and agencies supporting justice service delivery who are interested in transitioning to a people-centered approach to justice.
• Practice Note 3 serves as a guide for donors who are interested in supporting a people-centered approach to justice.
• Practice Note 4 serves as a guide for international program implementers, including United Nations agencies, intergovernmental organizations, international NGOs, and private international firms implementing development programs.
• Practice note 5 is intended to serve a variety of actors working on institutional reforms with the goal of advancing justice service delivery.