Informal mechanisms are an important part of delivering justice in both rural and urban areas worldwide. In the Declaration of the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law, Member States acknowledged that informal justice mechanisms, when in accordance with international human rights law, play a positive role in dispute resolution, and that everyone, particularly women and those belonging to vulnerable groups, should enjoy full and equal access to these justice mechanisms

[para. 15]. Informal systems are also often referred to as “traditional”, “indigenous”, “customary” or “non-state” justice systems. Estimates are that in many developing countries around 80% of cases are resolved through such mechanisms. Informal justice systems tend to address a wide range of issues of significant concern to the people, including personal security and local crime; protection of land, property and livestock; resolution of family and community disputes; and protection of entitlements, such as access to public services.

A 蘑菇视频 joint study (, and ) on informal justice systems analyses the characteristics of these mechanisms in all regions of the world, their linkages with the formal system, and their human rights implications, with a view to identifying programming opportunities and challenges.

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