What do people mean when they use the word "justice"?
	Dictionary definitions tend to restrict the term to the administration of a legal code - the 'exercise of authority or power in maintenance of right; vindication of right by assignment of reward or punishment; requital of desert. The administration of law. The infliction of punishment…' In everyday conversation the term often refers to the strict / proper application of a country's legal code. More broadly, though, it is often used as a synonym for 'fairness'. The two definitions are not necessarily identical, though! Think of all those people in the 18th century who were hanged for what we now consider petty thefts - or, conversely, the many examples of obviously guilty people who are freed because of legal technicalities. On the other hand, 'legal technicalities' can be used by both sides in a case. Many folk tales delight in the idea of poor people, who have nothing but their wits to depend on, obtaining justice through their native intelligence. Younger pupils might enjoy hearing some of these tales - and then writing their own versions. For some examples see 'The Clever Lawyer and the Cleverer Client' (from Kashmir)       http://www.koausa.org/Folk/Sadhu/16.html 'The Magistrate and the Little Boy' (from Korea)       http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu004/magistrate.html 'The Wise Girl' (from Russia)       http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/5873/wisegirl.html
	Older students could discuss the difference between 'justice' and 'fairness'. Which - if either - could be seen as the most 'Christian' response to a situation?