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The Islamic Rule Of Lenity: Judicial Discretion And Legal Canons, Intisar A. Rabb

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Article explores an area of close parallel between legal doctrines in the contexts of Islamic law and American legal theory. In criminal law, both traditions espouse a type of "rule of lenity" that curious common law rule that instructs judges not to impose criminal sanctions in cases of doubt. The rule is curious because criminal law is a peremptory expression of legislative will. However, the rule of lenity would seem to encourage courts to disregard one of the most fundamental principles of Islamic and American legislation and adjudication: judicial deference to legislative supremacy. In the Islamic context, such a …

Modernizing Muslim Family Law: The Case Of Egypt, Lama Abu-Odeh

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

he Author discusses the dynamics of family law reforms in modern Egypt as an instance of similar dynamics of reforms in other Muslim countries. The forces that push for reforms as well as those that try to limit them are also introduced.

The Author begins by describing the historical legal background shared by the vast majority of Muslim countries, including Egypt. An account of the general evolution of Islamic law-from a dominant system existing within an Islamic state to a subordinate system existing within an overall secularized legal system characterized by legal borrowing from European codes-is given. Islamic law has …

A Practitioner's Introduction To Saudi Arabian Law, Gali Hagel

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

There is no Saudi legal code. Although the literature on the Islamic faith is extensive, the only Saudi laws available in the English language are the corporate, tax, and labor regulations. This Note brings together the applicable principles and laws to provide a broad overview of the Saudi legal system: it discusses the way in which Islamic law has evolved in Saudi Arabia, analyzes the major Saudi corporate regulations, and, as an introductory research tool, directs the practitioner to more detailed resources. This Note also gives practical advice to attorneys representing clients doing business in Saudi Arabia, adding needed dimension …

Meaning And Structure Of Law In Islam, Salah-Eldin Abdel-Wahab

Vanderbilt Law Review

There are many other reasons to believe that consideration of Islamic jurisprudence should prove amply rewarding in the comparative study of law. A legal system which still underlies the legal life and social conduct of some 400 million people (one sixth of the world population) cannot be ignored. The original solutions which it provides for problems of high complexity and its very advanced normative structure which consists entirely of works by jurists, not of government codes and statutes, are worthy of consideration.

Book Notes, Law Review Staff

Vanderbilt Law Review

Diary of A.D.A.

By Martin M. Frank.

New York: Henry Holt & Co.,1960. Pp. 274. $3.95.

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Islamic Law in the Modern World

By J.N.D. Anderson.

New York:New York University Press, 1959. Pp. xx, 106. $2.75.