Theresa May launches inquiry into 'sexist' Sharia courts

Jan 04, 2016

Written By Emma Finamore, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

It's feared that some courts discriminate against women, and that the women using them may not know their real legal rights.

An independent inquiry into controversial Sharia courts is to be set up by the home secretary early in 2016, after concerns that some operate an informal parallel system of justice.

The move comes after concerns raised that some courts – set up to protect Islamic law – discriminate against women, and that women using them may not know their legal rights.

Estimates of the number of Sharia courts in the UK vary from 30 to 85; last week 150 women's organisations urged the government to place an outright ban on them.

The inquiry will be undertaken by an independent reviewer, who will report to the home secretary.

The review of Sharia courts is part of the government's counter-extremism strategy published in October highlighting a series of concerns about the courts.

These included reports of men and women being charged different fees for using the same service, and women facing more lengthy processes for divorce than men.

Most concerning are fears that women are unaware of their right to leave violent husbands and are pressurised to attend reconciliation sessions, despite laws in place to protect them from violence.

The Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation said in a statement in 2015:

“We are calling on the government to investigate bodies involved in providing Islamic divorce services without delay and to take rapid steps to address discriminatory practices within them.”

A Home Office spokesman told The Times:

"The government is committed to an independent review to understand the extent to which Sharia may be being misused, or applied in a way which is incompatible with the law in the UK.

It is expected that the review team will submit an initial report to the home secretary later in 2016.”

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