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contradictory debate, whereas decisions regarding long term sentences were taken by theMinister of Justice itself.2000 should have seen a revolution in the mentalities of both lawyers and magistrates. Sadly,however, too few lawyers are interested in this technical, underpaid legal field, in which courthearings held in camera hardly flatter one’s ego. There are even fewer of them who are willing totake long term sentences or sick detained-persons 'cases.I have chosen to focus my professional practice on these very persons, which implies a globaland long term management as well as a collaborative way of dealing with their cases.As far as I am concerned, I consider that my role consists of working in sync with my clients’families, with prison authorities, with probation services, and with the third sector. It also meansbuilding the case with – not against – the JAP and even, when it is possible, with the sentences'implementation prosecutor's office.I treat each person I take care of – and I willingly limit the number of cases I deal with – as aunique case, with which I will try to find a suitable solution, tailored to the person’s needs, this,in a collaborative and therapeutic manner.The Small Claims Court in France (Juge de la proximité)Chantal Mahé, VU University Amsterdam (c.b.p.Mahe@vu.nl)In 2003, the Juge de proximité was instituted in France in order to fasten and to improve citizen’saccess to justice in minor criminal and civil cases. Another aim was to involve the civil societyinto the administering of justice. The Juge de proximité is not an ‘official’ judge, but is recruitedfrom the civil society on the basis of his or her practical experience in some legal profession.This paper offers a description of this new French institution and reports on recent evaluations ofthe current practice of the Juge de proximité.Sustainable Justice: Connecting Principle in the Worldwide Wave of CourtInnovation of the Last Decennia and Inspiring Focus-Concept for CourtInnovation PolicyAlexander F. de Savornin Lohman, Center for Sustainable Justice, Utrecht, Netherlands(alexlohman@me.com)Since the end of the 80 th of the last century a wave of court innovation spreads across the world.Mediation (privately or judge-led), judge-led settlement negotiations, Drug Courts, ProblemSolving Courts, Neighborhood Justice, Restorative Justice, Intercultural Justice and many otherinnovative forms of justice developed. In all of these initiatives the justice system shifted focus479