Venerable Thanissaro once pointed out in a talk that the Western concept of justice with its retributive, restorative and distributive components requires a detailed accounting of who did what to whom from the very beginning. This is just not realistic nor helpful in putting an end to suffering.
The Buddha once said that it is hard not to encountered a being who has not been related to us as father, mother, brother, sister and so on at one time in the past (SN15:14). Left unspoken is that it is equally hard not to encountered a being who has not been an enemy, a foe, an opponent or nemesis who had harmed, lied, swindled, attacked or destroyed us in the past.
My understanding of the Buddha’s approach had always been to focus on whatever will lead to the long-lasting wellbeing and happiness of all beings. When there are teachings that would lead to the opposite of such results, he had never hesitated to challenge his contemporaries. In the process, he had won over many followers and also created enemies in other faiths (MN56). Such actions arose from the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom for the wellbeing and happiness of all beings. This is very admirable and maybe worth emulating?
But it is not the lack of compassion, sometimes, that stops me trying to help, defend or guide those in need. Rather it is my lack of wisdom and foresight that worries me. Am I making the situation worse or harming (in some unforeseen ways) the person I am trying to help instead?