JEDDAH: Justice Minister Mohammed Al-Eissa has stressed the need to have a code of law that could be followed by all judges. The Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, in which Al-Eissa is a member, is discussing the issue.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah approved the plan to draft a code of law about four years ago. Al-Eissa said he was making concerted efforts to set out such a code that would be based on Shariah. “That code will be made mandatory on all judges in the absence of a better opinion.”

In a wide-ranging interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Eissa said the Ministry of Justice was studying a proposal to control the marriage of girls aged under 18.

“Regulating the marriage of minors comes under the ministry’s jurisdiction and it can take a decision on the matter to prevent abuse of Shariah rules,” he said.The minister, however, pointed out that the issue must be presented to higher authorities for a decision. “Girls under 18 will not be in a position to take up family responsibilities and Islam wants to establish marital relations on a sound basis,” he said.

He said the number of divorce cases recorded at the ministry were disturbing. “Many divorces occurred as a result of age differences between couples.”

He said the ministry would seek foreign expertise to improve its infrastructure facilities.

The minister said a study on prospects of allowing women as legal practitioners would be completed in three months. “Our women now have to approach male lawyers to defend their rights and some women have lost as they refused to deal with law offices run by men,” he said.

Asked whether a woman becoming a judge in the Kingdom was impossible, he said: “The answer is yes and no. Many countries that do not apply Shariah have yet to appoint a woman judge. In other countries, the number of women judges is very small because of obvious reasons.”

He said the delay in giving verdicts on court cases was a global phenomenon. “Some conflicts will require a long time to give a verdict. It’s quite natural.”

Judges in the Kingdom are Shariah college graduates. They are also required to pass special exams, he said.

Many countries accept the degrees from Shariah colleges in Saudi Arabia. He said no traffic courts have been planned under the new judicial system. “If there is a plan to establish such courts, the Supreme Judiciary Council can do it with the king’s approval,” he explained.