Dr Amin Al-Astewani
Lecturer in LawProfile
Dr Al-Astewani focuses on the role played by religious tribunals in Western legal systems. Over the past few years, he has led cutting-edge research on a novel type of religious tribunal in the UK, namely Islamic Shariah tribunals. After conducting fieldwork research at four of the most prominent of these tribunals, Dr Al-Astewani submitted written evidence to Parliament on the legal status of their decisions and practices, as part of the government’s first public review of Shariah councils in the UK. His evidence was subsequently cited by over twenty media outlets, including internationally. As part of his engagement with communal organisations and bodies, Dr Al-Astewani has also advised the UK Board of Shariah Councils on the legal status of Islamic Tribunals. He continues to offer his expertise and advice to both policy-makers and Shariah councils on the legal status and role of Islamic tribunals in the modern English legal system.
Research Overview
Amin's main areas of research interest correlate with his teaching, and consist of two inter-related legal disicplines: Law and Religion and Public Law.
Amin's research focuses on the role played by religious tribunals in Western legal systems. Over the past few years, he has led cutting-edge research on a novel type of religious tribunal in the UK, namely Islamic Shariah tribunals. After conducting fieldwork research at four of the most prominent of these tribunals, Dr Al-Astewani submitted written evidence to Parliament on the legal status of their decisions and practices, as part of the government’s first public review of Shariah councils in the UK. His evidence was subsequently cited by over twenty media outlets, including internationally.
As part of his engagement with communal organisations and bodies, Dr Al-Astewani has also advised the UK Board of Shariah Councils on the legal status of Islamic Tribunals. He continues to offer his expertise and advice to both policy-makers and Shariah councils on the legal status and role of Islamic tribunals in the modern English legal system.
Current Teaching
Public Law
Law and Religion
Web Links
ORCID Profile: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0435-620X
Professional Role
Academic Journal Peer Reviewer for the following journals:
1) Religions
2) Australian Journal of Islamic Studies
3) Sage Open
4) Laws
PhD Supervision Interests
I welcome PhD proposals in the field of Law and Religion (within the context of the English Legal System)
The Legal and Spiritual Dimensions of Fasting in Ramadan
Invited talk
Law, Human Rights and Religion: Flashpoints
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Family Law Reform Now Conference
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Pedagogical Curriculum Reflections on the Introduction of a ‘Law and Religion’ Module in the Traditional Legal Curricula of Law Schools in the UK
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Conference on Leadership, Authority and Representation in British Muslim Communities
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN: INFORMAL AND LEGAL SOLUTIONS
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
The Ashers Baking Case: Is English Law developing a Hierarchy of Rights?
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Minority Religions Under Irish Law Symposium
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
English Human Rights Law and Religious Symbols
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Law and Religion Scholars Network Annual Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
English Law, Islamic Law and the British Muslim Community: A Historical Overview
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
The British Association for Islamic Studies Annual Conference 2017
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
British Sociological Association Conference 2017
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
UK Board of Shariah Councils Board Meeting (Event)
Membership of committee
Law, Human Rights and Religion: Flashpoints
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Manchester Institute of Education Symposium
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Home Affairs Select Committee (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Stephen Lickrish & Associates Criminal Defence Service (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel For Social Community and Cultural Engagement
Centre for Law and Society
- Centre for Law and Society