JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN PALESTINE'S SHARĪʿAH COURTS: A JURISPRUDENTIAL-ANALYTICAL STUDY OF DECREE LAW NO. (8) OF 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v33i2.1087Keywords:
Judicial Independence, Sharīʿah Judiciary, Constitutional Legislation, Judicial Safeguards, Decree Law 8/2021Abstract
The judiciary lies at the core of any legal system, grounded in the foundational maxim: “No law without a judiciary.” This principle highlights the intrinsic interdependence between legislation and adjudication—not only in form, but also in function, authority, and purpose. This study examines the principle of judicial independence within Palestine’s Sharīʿah judiciary by critically analysing its legal framework—particularly the Amended Basic Law, the Judicial Authority Law, and Decree-Law No. (8) of 2021 concerning the Sharīʿah court system. It also evaluates the extent to which these provisions align with Islamic juristic principles on judicial autonomy and impartiality. Using both inductive and comparative methodologies, the study examines statutory texts alongside authoritative sources of Islamic jurisprudence. It identifies the legal and Sharīʿah-based safeguards that uphold the independence of the Sharīʿah judges and assesses their practical implementation. The findings indicate that Decree-Law No. (8) of 2021 represents a significant shift toward reinforcing judicial independence after decades of reliance on foreign legal models. The study concludes by offering new and significant contributions through juristic recommendations for legislative reform, consistent legal interpretation, enhanced public awareness, and a strengthened integration of Islamic principles in judicial practice.
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