Al-Rahi Asks Religious Court Judges for Speedy but Fair Trials
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Friday on the judges of spiritual courts to speed up religious trials but issue fair rulings by preserving justice.
“It is up to the judges to achieve justice, which is the essence of peace,” al-Rahi told the judges during his yearly meting with them in Bkirki.
“The social system should be improved to focus on the truth and seek justice.”
“You are makers of justice, then you are the makers of peace,” he told the judges.
Al-Rahi reminded them that the church urges judges to speed up their rulings.
He also called for the respect of deadlines in issuing rulings and for avoiding procrastination.
But al-Rahi stressed that a speedy trial doesn't mean the verdict should not be fair.
The judges should study the evidence well, he said.
Al-Rahi also stressed that the parties involved in a dispute should not fall victim to the lawyers' ignorance.
Al-Rahi said some citizens are complaining about the high prices that the divorce lawyers are asking for. The court's fees and the lawyers' demands are two different things.
The patriarch added that lawyers are banned from asking for more fees under the excuse that they would bribe the judges.
Last year, al-Rahi slammed lawyers helping Catholic couples divorce by converting to other sects.
“Any lawyer who seeks to change the sect of the couple to get divorce, would be sacked from the spiritual court,” he said.
G.K.
H.K.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/159788 |