system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Sharia courts in the UK

They apparently they only deal with small disputes and family disputes at the moment.


But why are they allowed?


All I have heard is that they simply act to remove the rights of women in the court room. Even if it is optional surely women from Muslim communities will be forced to go even if they don't agree?


Why are we allowing such things in a so called equal society, surely everyone should be equal in they eyes of the law regardless of religion?
gpt
They are allowed because all the Sharia court does is alllow discussion leading to a contract between the parties in question.  The contract's terms are based in sharia law, but the contract is legally binding under UK law in the offer/acceptance/consideration manner that covers all contracts.  They are used to settle disputes, rather than criminal cases, and anyone is free to settle disputes in whatever manner they see fit as long as they don't do anything illegal.

Example: Dave lent Steve £5 a few weeks ago, but Steve has yet to pay him back.  Dave wants Steve to pay £1 in interest on the debt, but financial interest is not allowed under Sharia law.  A Sharia court is convened, the judgement is that Dave cannot charge interest and it is decided that Steve should pay back the £5.  Dave and Steve agree to this and have entered into a contract to this effect, if Steve doesn't pay Dave back then Dave could take it to the small claims court as with any other minor, financial dispute.

The court cannot force payment, cannot impose fines and cannot imprison either of them.  Both parties are free to refuse the judgement of the court or refuse to attend in the first place.

If they do coerce parties into attending, contravene anyone's rights or impose punishments then that is a matter for UK criminal law and there is already legal process in place to deal with this.

The good news is you can do exactly the same thing with your mates down the pub (accepting that inebriation can render a party unfit to agree to a contract), or you can set up a court of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.