ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a survey of the theory and practice of international criminal justice, focused on the history, development and operation of international courts. It considers the purposes and goals of international criminal justice, key points of contention and controversy – in particular those revolving around the three 'great debates' of peace vs justice, international vs local actors and interests, and retributive vs restorative conceptions of justice. International criminal justice implies not only the practice of prosecuting, or seeking accountability for international crimes, but also the idea that such crimes are the concern of the international community writ large. The capacity of international criminal justice to promote reconciliation is regarded as one of its key contributions, but it is also one of the most contentious claims. Arguably the most significant contribution to international criminal law was in providing a precedent, and renewed impetus, for the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court.
