In the first issue of this journal Brian Williams (2003) raised the question of the “Meaning of Community Justice” arguing that “there is a need for critical debate, because of the widespread confusion and disagreement about both the meaning of the term and the desirability of expanding the domain of community justice.” Over the years the Journal has continued with this mission, one element of which has been the examination of the potential for restorative practice to be applied to the criminal justice system. This issue addresses that question directly