Sharia courts in the UK

[cleanbluesky]

If the case is merely that groups have organised themselves to apply for something that anyone can achieve and that there is no existing policy for the government to deny them - then I'd say the situation was fair, although a review should be considered on the basis of this case. If its the case that sharia courts have been approved by a government body who have the right to turn them down on whim, then I think that these courts are a definite step in the wrong direction.

Either way I don't think we have enough information about the process to confirm it

[bam]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

If the case is merely that groups have organised themselves to apply for something that anyone can achieve and that there is no existing policy for the government to deny them - then I'd say the situation was fair, although a review should be considered on the basis of this case. If its the case that sharia courts have been approved by a government body who have the right to turn them down on whim, then I think that these courts are a definite step in the wrong direction.

Either way I don't think we have enough information about the process to confirm it

According to my reading of the Act you don't need to "apply" for anything to act as an arbitration "court", you just need to follow the mandates of the law regarding process, accountability etc.
Knowing these provisions, and without any information on the contrary, I think it is reasonable to assume the situation is as I, and others, have described.

[Mark]

I haven't read the law, but that's always the way I'd read it. I'm also not sure what a review could accomplish. Barring the courts 'because they practice Sharia' certainly wouldn't go down well. It would also seem that equality legislation doesn't apply - otherwise there would already be sufficient grounds for appealing these rulings.