Lord Chief Justice Endorses Use of Sharia Law in Some Cases

Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips has declared that Islamic legal principles can be applied by courts to resolve certain family, marital, or contractual cases. In a speech at an East London mosque, Lord Phillips said that Sharia can be applied so long as it does not conflict with English law.

Phillips stated: “Those entering into a contractual agreement can agree that the agreement shall be governed by a law other than English law.”

The policy has been criticized by many lawyers over concerns with the incorporation of religious values and a concern among women’s groups that Sharia is prejudicial to women and principles of equality.

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