We hold a small collection of references to the law in relation to the major religions.
The Council of Legal Education archives includes a file on the inclusion of Hindu and Mohammedan Law in teaching and examinations in 1936 (ref: CLE/39/10).
The papers of Sir Dingle Mackintosh Foot (1905–1978), politician, lawyer and practising advocate in several African countries, include papers relating to the Minority Commission in Nigeria (ref: FOOT/1/2) with reference to the United Muslim Party, such as:
- ‘The National Muslim League’s Memorandum on the Fears of the Muslim Minorities in the Regions’, typescript paper by Hassan T A Funsho, Administrative Secretary, 1957.
- ‘United Muslim Party Memorandum on Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Threat to Legislate Against Political Parties Based on Islamic Religion’, typescript paper, n.d.
- ‘Human Rights in Nigeria. United Muslim Party Proposals on Fundamental Rights of Citizens of Nigeria and on Matters Relating to Minorities in a Self-Governing and Independent Nigeria’, typescript paper, n.d.
The IALS Library manuscript collection in the Archives includes the inaugural address on law and religion delivered to the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution by the Rt Hon Lord Macmillan. In 1934 (ref: IALSLIB/3).
The conference papers of the archives of the International Law Association (ILA) include:
- 'An Essay toward Principles of International Law to govern the Intercourse of Christian with non-Christian peoples' by Joseph P. Thompson, D.D. LL, 1876 (ref: ILA/2/5).
- A report to conference in 2000 Islamic Law and International Law (ref: ILA/2/55/6)
The ILA archives also holds some published material of relevance, including:
- ‘Quakers and Peace’. Published with an introduction and notes by G.W. Knowles, M.A., 1927 (ref: ILS/5/3)
- ‘Custom and the Muslim Law in British India’. An address by the Right Honourable Sir George Rankin, Kt., LL.D., 1927 (ref: ILA/5/3/4)
- Pamphlets relating to the First World War (ref: ILA/6/24), including:
- ‘The War and Christianity’ by C.F. Ryder, 1915.
- ‘Einfluss des Krieges auf Verträge zwischen Angehörigen der kriegführenden Staaten’, lecture delivered by Dr. Soetbeer, 1914.
There may be more material of interest in the general correspondence, minute books and training records of organisations held in the Archives which was not picked up in word searches. To browse the Archives catalogues for more information see this link: https://ials.sas.ac.uk/ials-library/archives/ials-archives-collections.
About the IALS Archives
The IALS Archives was established in the 1990s as an outcome of a project to investigate the location and availability for research of records of legal education. During the project IALS accepted a number of collections from individuals and organisations which were at risk of loss. Since the end of the project IALS has continued to accept deposits of archive material relating to legal education. In 2022 the IALS Archives achieved accreditation from The National Archives.
