Chandigarh: British Sikh lawyers have united to establish a pioneering court as a platform for resolving family and civil disputes within the Sikh community, as reported by ‘The Times’ on Thursday (25th April).
The inauguration of the Sikh court took place last weekend at a ceremony held at the Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn in London, with recitation of Gurbani and Ardas.
Baldip Singh, a 33-year-old barrister based in London and one of the court’s founding members, said that the Sikh court is a forum designed to help Sikh families to resolve their family matters, all while adhering to Sikh principles.
This court will function both remotely and in-person, boasting a panel of approximately “30 magistrates and 15 judges, with a majority being women.” The magistrates will serve as mediators, facilitating negotiations between conflicting parties and guiding them towards courses tailored to address specific issues.
The establishment of this court reflects a proactive approach within the British Sikh community to address disputes in a manner that respects cultural values and promotes harmony and understanding.
Baldip Singh said that under the rules of the new court both parties in a case would have to consent to participating.
“If we think that there are really significant safeguarding issues that we cannot deal with and should not deal with they will be directed to the appropriate place,” Indian Express (IE) quotes Sharan Bhachu, a barrister reportedly sworn in as the “lead family judge” for the new Sikh court.