This book examines the history of the development of restorative justice against a 'theories of punishment' backdrop. It considers the modern practice of restorative justice and draws on the experience gained from the justice systems of indigenous peoples in New Zealand, Australia and North America to explore the resonance of restorative justice with indigenous justice systems, focusing on African traditional systems. In particular, linkages with the African philosophical concept of ubuntu and the South African Truth Commission are explored. The work examines the contemporary development of restorative justice in South Africa, in particular the flourishing of restorative justice jurisprudence from the courts, including South Africa's globally influential Constitutional Court.