A CALL FOR A
"NATIONAL LEGAL CEASEFIRE"
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
The Nonjustice Foundation is calling for a "National Legal Ceasefire" on September 21, 2005. The National Legal Ceasefire is a day when lawyers and judges around the country are encouraged to observe a voluntary cessation of legal hostilities and devote their efforts to resolving conflicts, uniting adversaries, and restoring peace, in conjunction with and in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Peace observed on September 21 of each year as a day of global ceasefire and cessation of hostilities among all peoples.
A National Legal Ceasefire is needed for the following reasons:
1. More than 36 million lawsuits are filed and prosecuted in the United States each year, at a cost of over $342 billion.
2. The adversarial legal system in the United States is having the effect of escalating hostilities among adversaries, prolonging disputes, and forestalling the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
3. American society is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the way the adversarial legal system functions, the outcomes it produces, and its complexity, disparate access, and high cost. Recent calls to reform the tort system and restrain the judiciary, and recent cases of violence against lawyers and judges, are examples of this growing discontent.
4. Although lawyers and judges occupy a unique and privileged role within society of resolving conflicts and restoring peace, they are increasingly being seen as mercenaries who stand in the way of peace.
5. Recent studies indicate that lawyers are now experiencing clinical depression and substance abuse at rates higher than other professions, and double the rate of the general population. This is believed to be a symptom of the increasingly confrontational nature of our justice system.
6. "Seeking justice" is progressively becoming a phrase used to excuse acts of vengeance, retribution, and payback, creating a society that condones and encourages revenge-seeking by confusing the true meaning of justice, which is fundamental fairness and equity for all people.
7. A daylong cessation of legal hostilities would provide a much needed cooling off period for our litigious society and assist lawyers and judges in reestablishing their rightful role in society as peacemakers.
8. Declaring a National Legal Ceasefire on September 21 of each year is a particularly appropriate way to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace, which calls for a daylong global ceasefire and cessation of hostilities among all people.
Suggested activities for the National Legal Ceasefire:
- Cease prosecution of all adversarial proceedings and file no new lawsuits for the duration of the Day.
- For the judiciary, suspend all trials and adversarial proceedings for the duration of the Day and assist parties in resolving their conflicts without litigation.
- Aid opposing parties in resolving conflicts using non-adversarial methods of conflict resolution.
- Attend or teach a course on non-adversarial conflict resolution and peacemaking.
- Volunteer time during the Day to assist peoples and communities of insufficient means in peacefully resolving their conflicts.
- Organize or attend a National Legal Ceasefire gathering or march of attorneys and other legal professionals.
- Espouse the teaching and example of Mahatma Gandhi that "the true function of a lawyer [is] to unite parties riven asunder."
- Observe a moment of silence at noon to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace.
- Encourage bar associations, legal organizations, judicial departments, and law firms to adopt the "National Legal Ceasefire Resolution" below.
A Resolution Establishing A National Legal Ceasefire
The _______ [insert name of organization]______,
Acknowledging that pursuant to Resolution 55/282, the General Assembly of the United Nations has resolved that September 21 of each year shall be proclaimed as an International Day of Peace, to be observed by a Day of global ceasefire, nonviolence, and cessation of hostilities among all peoples.
Acknowledging further that our adversarial legal system is having the unintended effect of increasing hostilities among adversaries, prolonging conflicts, and forestalling the restoration of peace.
Acknowledging further that attorneys and the judiciary, by virtue of their special training and position of public trust, occupy a unique and privileged role within society in resolving conflicts and restoring peace.
Recognizing that a daylong cessation of legal hostilities would provide a much needed period of reflection for our litigious society.
Desiring to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace by honoring and upholding the unique position of attorneys and the judiciary within society as peacemakers.
1. Decides that September 21 of each year (or the first business day thereafter when said day falls on a weekend or holiday), shall be proclaimed and observed as a National Legal Ceasefire.
2. Declares that the National Legal Ceasefire shall henceforth be observed as a Day of voluntary cessation of legal hostilities for the duration of the Day.
3. Invites all employees, members, and the public to commemorate, in appropriate manner, the National Legal Ceasefire through education and public awareness, voluntary acts of peacemaking, non-adversarial conflict resolution, and the establishment of a national legal ceasefire.
So Resolved,
this ___ day of ________, 20__
HELP UPHOLD THE NATIONAL LEGAL CEASEFIRE ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2005!
For more information about the NATIONAL LEGAL CEASEFIRE
(or to let us know that your organization has adopted the National Legal Ceasefire Resolution)
please email the Nonjustice Foundation:
