Call for sharia rules in English law

A leading lawyer yesterday called for sharia rules to be written into English law.

Stephen Hockman QC said legal reforms to incorporate Islamic principles are inevitable. He warned that 'otherwise we will find there is a very significant section of our society which is increasingly alienated, with very dangerous results. '

Mr Hockman is an influential figure among barristers. He headed their professional body, the Bar Council, two years ago, and is currently running an inquiry for the Government into whether U.S.-style plea bargaining should be allowed in Britain.

His comments follow the controversial speech this week by Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips, who gave his approval to the use of sharia law for deciding family and marriage disputes and mediating in arguments among Muslims.