The TimesDecember 22, 2006
Brolly to rescue of veiled wife
David Sanderson
LONDON A veiled Muslim woman who refused to show her face in court because she would have to be questioned by a male barrister agreed to a very British solution — a brolly.
Shereen Lohar, 21, was applying in the High Court for a declaration of nullity over a marriage, which she said had been forced on her.
Solicitors acting for Ms Lohar had successfully applied to the Family Division for her case to be heard by a female judge, but Ms Lohar refused to lift her veil because her barrister was a man.
The barrister, Teetha Gupta, came to the rescue of the case, which resulted in a successful application for a declaration that her marriage was invalid, by offering his umbrella as a screen.
Ms Lohar raised it so that her face was obscured from him, but was visible to the judge, Mrs Justice Macur.
timesonline.co.uk
Brolly to rescue of veiled wife
David Sanderson
Shereen Lohar, 21, was applying in the High Court for a declaration of nullity over a marriage, which she said had been forced on her.
Solicitors acting for Ms Lohar had successfully applied to the Family Division for her case to be heard by a female judge, but Ms Lohar refused to lift her veil because her barrister was a man.
The barrister, Teetha Gupta, came to the rescue of the case, which resulted in a successful application for a declaration that her marriage was invalid, by offering his umbrella as a screen.
Ms Lohar raised it so that her face was obscured from him, but was visible to the judge, Mrs Justice Macur.
timesonline.co.uk