The Department of Justice has published the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report for 2025/26, setting out developments over the past year.

The update outlines ongoing work to broaden the use of restorative justice across Northern Ireland and to strengthen quality and consistency in practice.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "This fourth Annual Progress Report provides an update on the progress made in advancing the work in restorative justice over the past year. "Significant actions include the launch of the new Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework, which sets out clear accreditation requirements and supports consistent, high-quality practice; the accreditation of new Restorative Justice organisations and practitioners; and the launch of the Adult Restorative Justice diversionary disposal pilot."

The report continues delivery of the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy 2022—27, introduced in March 2022 in partnership with a range of statutory, voluntary and community organisations through the Restorative Justice Working Group. The strategy committed to annual reporting on implementation progress.

A Protocol governing relationships between the criminal justice system and community-based restorative justice schemes, first established in 2007, was reviewed by an expert panel in 2022 to encourage appropriate referrals and expand restorative practice. The revised Protocol, along with the new Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework, is available on the Department's website.