A Family Law Symposium

In October, lecturers Leyla Jackson and Rahim Khan took a selection of students from all year groups of our Law Degree to a fascinating and intellectually stimulating conference held by the Islamic Society of Britain. Students were given an insight into the jurisprudence of Sharia law including the legal maxims and higher objectives. This was followed by informative lectures on subjects like betrothal (khitbah), marriage (nikah), polygyny/polygamy and dissolution of marriage (by talaq, faskh and khula). The lectures were delivered by Sheikh Faizal Manjoo, an esteemed academic in the area of Islamic Studies and a practicing attorney in South Africa. There was also an opportunity for students to challenge the concepts with informative question and answer sessions and debate.

For students studying towards degrees in English law, the highlight of the event was an exceptional lecture on how the Family courts of the British legal system are dealing with the overlap of English law and recognition of an individual's religious beliefs in Family law cases. This was delivered by Family law barrister and author of the upcoming book "Islamic Family Law", Raffia Arshad.

Students found the conference interesting and thought provoking. In particular for students wanting to specialise in Family law, it gave them an insight into the kind of issues that Family lawyers of the future need to be able to grasp.