Alternative Approaches to Juvenile Delinquency: Aligning National Legislation with International Standards on Minimum Intervention and Restorative Justice

Ivana Miljuš

doi:10.62733/2026.1.33-52

Authors

Ivana Miljuš University of Belgrade – Faculty of Law https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8147-4061

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62733/2026.1.33-52

Keywords:

diversion procedure, diversion programmes, restorative justice, family conferences, right to a fair procedure

Abstract

The subject of this paper is diversion procedures and programmes, and the elements and instruments of restorative justice (such as family group conferences) in juvenile justice proceedings. The author explores their fundamental theoretical foun dations and objectives, as well as legal standards based on the principle of minimal intervention and restorative justice. This paper aims to achieve a comprehensive under standing of international standards and identify forms of diversion that are noticeable in comparative law and basic types of diversion in certain national legislations. The central part of the paper focuses on analyzing international legal principles, specifically emphasizing alternative approaches, the balance between informal proceedings and the protection of fundamental rights, and upholding the core elements of the right to a fair procedure. The author addresses alternative and diversion measures applied in proceedings involving juveniles in the Republic of Serbia – diversion orders.

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