The Scottish justice system has increasingly adopted alternatives to prosecution reflecting a shift towards rehabilitation and prevention. Diversion from Prosecution (DfP) is a key component of this approach with significant increase in its use in recent years allowing individuals to avoid unnecessary contact with the formal court by engaging with support services (Gibson & Jardine, 2026). Within this approach, Restorative Justice (RJ) can be used as a specific intervention, aiming to repair harm and involve victims in the justice process. While this integration has significant potential, it also raises important questions about effectiveness, consistency, and the preservation of RJ principles.
This information sheet explains how RJ and DfP can interact to combine rehabilitation with a focus on repairing harm.