Niqab in the Family Court

In an undefended forced marriage case in the Family Division towards the end of 2006, the court agreed that a practising Muslim applicant would remove her veil to give evidence but if a male were present (as was her counsel) she would be screened by an umbrella. Granting a decree of nullity, Mrs Justice Macur said that it was a matter of extreme importance that witnesses in such sensitive cases should be permitted to present their case to the satisfaction of the court but also observing their religious observance of dress. For the full news story see April [2007] Fam Law.