Substantive Justice

/ˈsʌbstəntɪv ˈdʒʌstɪs/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The principle concerned with the fairness, truth, and justice of the actual rights and obligations involved in a legal dispute, as opposed to procedural correctness.
    The court sought substantive justice by ensuring the defendant's contractual rights were fully honored.

Forms

  • substantive justice

Commentary

Substantive justice focuses on the merits and outcomes of legal claims rather than procedural formalities; drafters should distinguish it clearly from procedural justice to avoid conflation.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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