What is Justice?

This chapter introduces the concept of justice, tracing its origins from ancient Greek philosophy to its modern interpretations, particularly in the context of criminal justice in England and Wales. It explores the foundational principles of criminal justice, such as equality of citizens, just deserts, the rule of law, due process, and impartiality and independence. The chapter also addresses contemporary debates in criminal justice, including systemic inequalities, access to justice, and the evolving trust in the legitimacy of the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Through a detailed examination of these principles and debates, this chapter sets the stage for the subsequent case studies, which will analyse how these theoretical concepts are applied in practice within the CJS.