"Muslim Law Is Here In Britain". So says the Daily Express, who must have been kicking themselves that they got the story a full day after the Telegraph. No matter, they still put it on their front page.

Islamic law does indeed exist in many forms in this country. I'm married under it, have a bank account arranged under its principles, and I eat meat slaughtered according to it. Panic stations everybody. Now.

The Express speaks of local religious 'courts' sitting and giving rulings on civil matters (the reports mention a Somali court ruling on a criminal matter, but it sounded like it had no relationship with shariah). When people go through other forms of arbitration rather than take legal action, it's called settling out of court. When Muslims do it, it's called a two-tier legal system that is threatening the very fabric of our society.

I have to say that I've never actually heard of such courts sitting in the official form that these reports indicate. I have though heard of imams being called in to deal with family disputes, divorces etc and giving an opinion which is then taken on board. If both parties are happy with that, then I can't see what the problem is.

The newspaper articles stemmed from a BBC Radio Four's Law in Action programme. That episode also mentioned Jewish law courts. Astoundingly, the Express and Telegraph omitted to mention that, concentrating on the Muslim angle - anyone still think they don't have an agenda? The Telegraph piece was written by Joshua Rozenberg, not exactly someone unfamiliar with Judaism to pass over any mention of it so easily. His wife, Melanie Phillips, would have to write another book, Londonrael.

Source: Rolled-up Trousers