Page 119 - Records of Bahrain (5) (i)_Neat

Baharnah agitation for reform, 1935 107

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approciation of what is involved), would be u very difficult
and complicated work, and I am by no moano certain that such a
Code would on the whole be advantageous to thut community*

11. On the supposition that tho codifying of the Notices
/
gives a satisfactory minimum of law to carry on with, an
alternative to complete Civil and Criminal Codes (or at any
rate to a Civil Code, a simple Criminal Code would be easier
l
to draw up) would be to add to th^Khalifah Judge of tho Small
Cause and District Courts one or two Joint Judges, or assessors,
one of whom should be a Baharinah* This would probably satisfy
the Baharinah and ensure their receiving more even-handed
justice, Howover, until the codifying of the Notices has been
oomplotod no steps can be taken in this direction*

18. With regard to the Majlis al TuJJarah, the Baharinah

demand is for proportional representation* This demand cannot
be acceded to; no body of commercial experts can bo selected
on these lines* as pointed out in paragraph 7 (b) in Colonel
Loch's letter of 18th February the Shaikn lias agreed to increas­
ed representation of the Baharinah on this Court, provided
suitable men can be found*
The Baharinah are, indeed, but little affected by the
Majlis al TuJJarah, for they do not enter to any extent into

commeroe•

13. With regard to the Shara' (ecclesiaatical)Court. The
3 Sunni Kazio try their cases in a body, while tho two Shi'ah
Kazlo who deal Y/ith the Baliarinah cases try them separately.
There is a demand from the Baharinah that a third Kazi*should
bo appointed and thut the Shi1ah Kazis should adopt the

collective mothod of their Sunni colleagues. I think that this
matter can, and should, be left to the pressure of the
Baharfnah on their own Kazis.
14. /