Local Government Level Restorative Adjudication: An Alternative Model of Justice for Children in Bangladesh

Main Article Content

Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman
Borhan Uddin Khan

Abstract

Keeping the best interests of children in mind, this paper examines the prevailing restorative model of justice at local government level of Bangladesh and argues that this model, if adequately activated and reformed, can be a desirable alternative to the formal system of justice for children who come into contact or conflict with the law. In doing so, the paper outlines the historical development of local government adjudication mechanisms, analyzes the existing norms and procedure of such adjudication, outlines the potential of such adjudication bodies as viable alternatives to juvenile courts in protecting the best interests of children, sets out the shortcomings of the local government bodies and the challenges involved in capturing their potential, and finally suggests a number of ways in which the model could be improved.

Article Details

How to Cite
Rahman, M. M., & Khan, B. U. (2009). Local Government Level Restorative Adjudication: An Alternative Model of Justice for Children in Bangladesh. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (4), 26-45. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i4.1349
Section
Research and Evaluation (peer-reviewed)
Author Biographies

Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman, University of Dhaka

Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman (LL.M.) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. His areas of interest include human rights, constitutional law and criminal law.

Borhan Uddin Khan, University of Dhaka

Dr Borhan Uddin Khan (Ph.D., LL.M. in International Law) is a Professor in the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Currently he is the Dean, Faculty of Law of the said university and an executive council member of Asian Society of International Law (ASIL).