eigenrichting

Eigenrichting, or taking justice into one’s own hands, refers to the act of punishing or retaliating against someone outside the formal criminal-justice system. It can include violent acts, intimidation, or property damage carried out by private individuals or groups who believe the offender has gone unpunished by authorities. The concept is closely related to vigilantism and to private means of enforcing social norms.

In most legal systems eigenrichting is illegal. Acts of private punishment can be charged as crimes such as murder, manslaughter, assault, or coercion, regardless of the offender’s guilt in the eyes of the public. The state generally reserves the use of force for official law enforcement and judicial procedures. Engaging in eigenrichting risks wrongful punishment, escalation of violence, and harm to bystanders, and it can undermine due process and the rule of law.

Causes and context for eigenrichting include perceived failures or delays in the police and courts, a loss of trust in authorities, fear of crime, or social norms that condone private retaliation. It may arise in communities with weak state presence or where informal justice systems still influence behavior. Modern responses emphasize deterrence, fair trials, and conflict de-escalation to reduce such actions.

Eigenrichting is distinct from lawful self-defence, which is governed by proportionality and necessity under criminal law. It also differs from restorative or formal penal processes, which aim to resolve harms through sanctioned procedures. The concept is discussed mainly in the context of vigilantism and public discourse about the legitimacy of private retaliation.