Equality for all in English law, says lord chief justice

There is no place for Sharia courts—or the harsh punishments they dole out—in England and Wales, the lord chief justice Lord Phillips said this week in a speech to the London Muslim Centre.

He added, however, that where Sharia law principles do not conflict with the laws here, they could be followed without legal interference.

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 [with the understanding]…that any sanctions for a failure to comply with the agreed terms of mediation would be drawn from the laws of England and Wales.” He cited as examples specialist financial products and services which comply with Sharia principles.

The lord chief justice added, however: “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. He said that all who appear before a judge in this countr y will receive equal treatment in the administration of the law, which offers freedom and equality— “including respect for the right to practise the religion of your choice”. Equality involved both rights and obligations though, he said: “Rights carry with them obligations, and those who come to live in this country and benefit from the rights enjoyed by all who live here, also necessarily come under the same obligations that the law imposes on all who live here.”