Reimagining Law and Justice Through Restorative Approaches AC on October 27-28, 2026 in Ottawa, Canada - Conference Index

Reimagining Law and Justice Through Restorative Approaches AC on October 27-28, 2026 in Ottawa, Canada

Reimagining Law and Justice Through Restorative Approaches (AC) October 27, 2026 - Ottawa, Canada

This conference will explore the growing movement of restorative approaches in communities and examine how restorative justice principles can reshape our understanding of law and justice. Moving beyond a solely punitive model, restorative approaches invite a re-examination of how harm is addressed, how accountability is understood, and how relationships are repaired. The conference will consider how these principles can transform legal processes across diverse areas of law—criminal, family, administrative, and community-based contexts—and what their broader implications are for access to justice, legitimacy, and public trust in legal institutions.

Central to this conversation is a transformative shift in the role of legal actors. What is required of lawyers, judges, policymakers, and justice system leaders to support meaningful change? What legal reforms, professional practices, and institutional cultures are needed to embed restorative approaches within the legal system? Through practical sessions, case studies, and applied examples, the conference will examine concrete pathways to justice that integrate restorative values. Participants will engage with real-world experiences, explore tools and models that are already emerging, and reflect on how law can evolve to better respond to harm, strengthen communities, and promote a more humane and responsive justice system.

Bilingual program with simultaneous interpretation.

CPD Accreditation: 

  • Participation in this program is accredited in provinces where CLE requirements for lawyers are mandatory.

Compensation for judges:

  • Participation in this program is approved under Section 41(1) of the Judges Act.

Name: Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice
Website: https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/
Address: 5950 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges

Imagine a space where concrete solutions emerge to address the complex challenges of our Canadian justice system. This is what the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) is all about. Founded in 1974, CIAJ’s mission is to promote excellence in justice through knowledge, learning and the exchange of ideas. CIAJ acts as a conduit for change. As a non-profit and independent organization, we bring together individuals and institutions from diverse expertise—judges, lawyers, legislative drafters, Indigenous elders, academics, policy-makers, as well as social workers, law enforcement officers, engaged citizens, etc.— to improve the administration of justice across Canada. Our multidisciplinary approach enables us to break down silos and mobilize diverse perspectives across a wide range of sectors, tackling fundamental issues in depth (family law, indigenous justice, criminal law, mental health, etc.). Together, we develop concrete solutions tailored to the real needs of Canadians. We are much more than event organizers: we are a driving force for change. At CIAJ, we build bridges where none existed before, ensuring that the justice system reflects the complexity, diversity, and aspirations of our society.
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