SINCE THE 1972 PUBLICATION OF AN ARTICLE ENTITLED 'NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE - A PROPOSAL', THE TASK FORCE ESTABLISHD BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND ITS SUCCESSOR, THE COMMISSION ON A NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, HAVE DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT TO THE FURTHER EXPLORATION, REFINEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT. THIS COMMISSION REPORT SUMMARIES THESE EFFORTS. IT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE DECEMBER 1972 CONFERENCE ON THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, SUMMARIES OF THE DISCUSSION GROUP FINDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE, A LIST OF CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS, AND A SERIES OF PAPERS DEALING WITH A NUMBER OF ISSUES ON THE TOPIC OF 'JUSTICE'. THE PAPERS ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST IN THE EVALUATION OF THE PROMISE AND POTENTIAL OF A NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE BY INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS, INSTITUTIONS, AND RESEARCH CONCERNING JUSTICE IN THE UNITED STATES....DMC