Neighbourhood Justice Panels trial in Lambeth

Judge Judy has nothing to do with the story

Lambeth Mediation Service has been chosen to deliver a pilot restorative justice project on behalf of the Ministry of Justice working in partnership with Lambeth Community Safety.

The aim of the Panel is to bring together those who have been harmed with those responsible for that harm. The process is voluntary, confidential and non-judgemental.

Examples of cases you might work with may include:

• Neighbour disputes
• Anti social behaviour
• Criminal damage
• Theft 
• Minor Public Order offences 
• Minor assaults eg push/shove

What is a Neighbourhood Justice Panel: It’s a meeting held in a neutral venue whereby all those that have been affected by a particular offence/incident come together with a trained facilitator to talk about what happened, who was affected and what can be done to make things better. NJPs are a suitable intervention for both adults and young people.  Housing Providers may wish to include an agreement to participate in an NJP Panel when issuing an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement.

Why do people want to attend a panel: The panels give those that have been affected within the community the opportunity to have a greater voice by asking those responsible any questions they may have, whilst also explaining the impact the behaviour has had upon their lives.  This will give the person/s responsible a greater understanding of the harm they have caused. Giving them the opportunity to respond to anything the person harmed may say or ask. The meeting will then seek an agreement as to what can be done to make things better so that everyone involved can move on positively with their lives.  A Neighbourhood Justice Panel is not a judge or jury, it is a mechanism which enables people to come together to find positive resolutions.

Who will run the panel meeting?  It will be the role of the Facilitator to speak with all parties involved and then facilitate a face-to-face meeting if everyone is in agreement.


For further information please contact:

Maggie Hampton
RJ Co-ordinator
Lambeth Mediation Service

Tel: 020 8678 6046
Email: maggiehampton@lambethmediation.org.uk