Most of the world's legal systems recognize the basic principle of victims' redress for the harm suffered. Paradoxically, however, only in exceptional cases have victims of extreme violations such as genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity received fair, adequate and prompt reparation. The thesis argues that to develop more effective redress for victims of major crimes, the international community must move beyond the fragmented approach we now have, towards a more comprehensive redress regime capable of applying coherent redress principles to all victims of major crimes on a fair, adequate and prompt basis. The thesis examines the historical origins of victims' redress and then explores its evolution and practical application in the frameworks of domestic law, regional and universal human rights regimes, humanitarian law, State responsibility, United Nations practice and international criminal law. Finally, the thesis recommends practical ways to move towards such a comprehensive redress regime