Improving access to justice through embracing a legal pluralistic approach: a case study of Nepal

Nepali people access justice either through the formal justice system (FJS) or traditional justice systems (TJS). TJS in Nepal exist alongside the FJS and serve the justice needs of people living in rural areas, Indigenous peoples, the poor, and marginalised groups of the population, such as women, Dalits and minority group members. This PhD thesis analyses the structure and operation of selected TJS, explores the extent to which TJS in Nepal accord with international principles of human rights, describe the existing relationship between TJS and the FJS, and explores the potential for establishing a relationship between the two systems to improve access to justice in general and especially for TJS users.