Sharia law to be enshrined in British legal system as lawyers get guidelines on drawing up documents according to Islamic rules By Sam Webb 10:00 23 Mar 2014, updated 23:53 23 Mar 2014 The guidelines on wills could mean women are denied an equal inheritance Adopted children could also face losing out under Law Society document The move has been criticised as a backwards step by equality campaigners Top lawyers have written guidelines for British solicitors on drafting sharia-compliant wills which can deny women an equal share of their inheritance and entirely exclude non-believers, it was revealed today. The Law Society, which represents solicitors in England and Wales, has written a guide on Sharia succession rules that will be used in British courts. It will mean that children born outside of marriage and adopted children could also be denied their fair share. The guide states: No distinction is made between children of different marriages, but illegitimate and adopted children are not Sharia heirs. The male heirs in most cases receive double the amount inherited by a female heir of the same class. Non-Muslims may not inherit at all, and only Muslim marriages are recognised. Similarly, a divorced spouse is no longer a Sharia heir, as the entitlement depends on a valid Muslim marriage existing at the date of death. MORE... Troupe of topless Femen protesters get dragged kicking and screaming out of Berlins Islamic Week meeting after covering themselves in anti-Islam messages Charity that Cameron called front for Islamic extremists gets £70,000 a year in state funding The Law Society claims the guide is simply to promote good practice and support members so they can help clients from all backgrounds - but the move has been criticised by equality campaigners. Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society, an organisation that campaigns for strict separation of the state from religious institutions and equality of religion before the law, says the move is a backwards step that undermines British justice.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 19:26:21 +0000
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