Restorative justice and criminal proceedings in Italy

Abstract

In regards to restorative justice, Italian judicial system is one-step behind in respect to other systems. Conflict is traditionally based on an authoritative model, which is slowly and gradually opening up to a conciliationkind model. Our system also, which is still strongly based on penal action compulsoriness principle, is starting to be acquainted with these different models. At a legislative level, restorative justice is still not fully recognized. But by considering restorative justice as a tool including any conciliation or reparation formality, there are other institutions, foreseen and disciplined by Italian code of criminal procedure, that lead back to it.