Lord Pearson of Rannoch – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch on 2014-03-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Law Society’s practice note on drawing up wills which are compliant with Sharia law.

Lord Faulks

Sharia law has no jurisdiction in England and Wales and the Government has no intention to change this position.

The Law Society’s practice note gives guidance to solicitors preparing wills under the law of England and Wales. It is a fundamental principle of this law that testators are, by making a valid will, able to leave their property to whomsoever they wish, subject only to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The practice note does not and cannot change the law.