SubscribeTop Judge: Sharia ‘Could Have Role In UK’
From the UK’s Press Association:
Sharia law ‘could have role in UK’
Thursday, July 3
Sharia law could play a role in some parts of the legal system, the most senior judge in England and Wales has said.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, emphatically ruled out the possibility of sharia courts sitting in this country or deciding penalties.
But in a speech at the East London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel he said there was no reason why sharia principles could not be used in "mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution".
Sharia - a set of principles governing the way that many Muslims believe one should live one’s life - suffered from "widespread misunderstanding" by the rest of the world, he added.
Lord Phillips said: "There is no reason why sharia principles, or any other religious code, should not be the basis for mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
"It must be recognised, however, that any sanctions for a failure to comply with the agreed terms of mediation would be drawn from the laws of England and Wales."
The Lord Chief Justice told his audience that severe physical punishments such as flogging, stoning and the cutting off of hands would not be acceptable.
He added: "There can be no question of such courts sitting in this country, or such sanctions being applied here. So far as the law is concerned, those who live in this country are governed by English and Welsh law and subject to the jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts."
The judge said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, had been misunderstood when it was reported in February that he said British Muslims could be governed by sharia law. Dr Williams suggested that sharia could play a role in "aspects of marital law, the regulation of financial transactions and authorised structures of mediation and conflict resolution".
The Lord Chief Justice said: "It was not very radical to advocate embracing sharia law in the context of family disputes, for example, and our system already goes a long way towards accommodating the Archbishop’s suggestion. It is possible in this country for those who are entering into a contractual agreement to agree that the agreement shall be governed by a law other than English law."
One wonders what the Lord Chief Justice’s views on capital punishment are.
We suspect he is against it. Unless of course for a crime against Islam or one of its followers.
Anyway, it’s one step closer.
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11 Responses to “Top Judge: Sharia ‘Could Have Role In UK’”
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July 3rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Law #1: get rid of all dogs…
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
OH MY !
more insanity…
just like the folly of the US SUPREMES giving terrorists the rights to petition for habeas corpus!
the Liberal ignorance is dangerous to all.
ON ANOTHER NOTE…
Happy Fourth to the mighty SWEETNESS & LIGHT, and Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY to all of S&L’s fine Readers.
FREEDOM baby…
Something Nancy and Hillary want to take away.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I wonder if I am the only one that thinks that wig makes the judge look like an afghan hound.
Bet his muslims buddies just love that.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I wonder when prosecuting criticism of Islam as “hate speech” or “racial incitement to hatred” will kick in.
Surely the men will love having the right under Islamic law (talaq) to divorce their wives with three sentences, or take full custody of the woman’s children with little recourse.
Ah, the blessings of civilization are slowly being eradicated by the tolerance of intolerance…multiculturalism at its worst…..
Somewhat off topic, but I asked a question on Yahoo Answers in the Ramadan section, where Muslims often answer questions about their faith. They are an eloquent bunch. I asked if they supported the execution of people who leave their religion. 25% (including a convert living in the U.S.) said yes. It’s not scientific and the pool is biased, but doesn’t it say something when a large minority of affluent, westernized, English-speaking computer users believe in slaughter over a change in faith? I mean what other religion continues to have such unchallenged extremism in its ranks?
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Those butt-kissing LOSERS!!! Winston Churchill must be doing snaprolls in his grave at this! I swear, the judiciary in most countries must be the biggest bunch of frauds ever to walk this planet!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Formerly-Great Britain is losing more and more ground every day to these cultists.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:13 am
“The Lord Chief Justice told his audience that severe physical punishments such as flogging, stoning and the cutting off of hands would not be acceptable.”
“Sharia - a set of principles governing the way that many Muslims believe one should live one’s life - suffered from “widespread misunderstanding” by the rest of the world, he added.”
Ummm… Lord Chief Justice where exactly is the “widespread misunderstanding”? I understand Sharia to be a primitive, virtually stone age, set of rules and laws. Am I wrong somehow? Hold on to your hats folks. Things are going to get ugly before it’s all said and done.
Happy 4th to all who appreciate the fact that we are lucky enough to live in the greatest country in the world, ever. I hope common sense will prevail and it will stay that way.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:21 am
If a democratically elected legislature wished to introduce laws based on sharia principles into statue then we could at least have a debate. But once again this is yet another example of the judges in my country putting ideology before procedure.
I’m not a trained legal eagle, but these two points in particular give me great cause for concern:
Fair enough. Within the Muslim community there is, indeed, no reason why sharia principles should not be the basis for mediation. As with any club that you join, there are rules that you have to obey. The ultimate sanction must be cancellation of membership (ex-communication?)
But then it goes on:
No, no, no! There must be no legal sanctions for non compliance with sharia law, unless that law is on statute. This Chief Justice (from the Minstry of Silly Ideas it would appear) is setting the scene for the introduction of a theocracy.
This is really scary. I hope those hours I spent on townhall and sweetness-light will stand me in good stead when I eventually jump over the side, and swim across to the US. Unless there are donkeys in the white house.
America alone indeed.
PS:
I believe the same thing happens in your Supreme Court … and wasn’t it big of them to recognise the 2nd Amendment?
Maybe they could have a vote on the 1st Amendment, and find out whether you are even allowed to criticise your government.
Hey, wait a minute. I thought your judges had to uphold the Constitution, not apologise for it. Why was it even necessary to vote on this issue? Surely something as serious as a debate about the US Constitution should at least be held within a democratically elected representative body …. or via referendum … like what we are continually promised with the EU ….
:o)
July 4th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Hey Greg! If you swim a tad south, you can land on the eastern coast of Florida…where like the billions of cubans, you will automatically be granted asylum! I will pick you up, bring you to the west coast and you can relax in the sun and fish all day……They havent been able to take over this country just yet, only cities where their influence is strengthened by the enclaves of ignorance and pandering politicians. Any time you want……and it’s a lot warmer here than in DW’s neck of the woods…..albeit you cant shoot out the back door….legally.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I know where I can get an old inner tube so if Greg doesn’t mind sharing, we can make the Swim to Freedom together…and on the 4th of July too!
July 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be judges….