Bench Book for Judges on Muslim Family Laws

The publication “Muslim Family Laws Bench Book for Judges in Pakistan with a Special Focus on Women and Children” by Musawi, supported by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) and developed in collaboration with the Sindh Judicial Academy, serves as a practical guide for judges handling family law cases. It documents the legal framework governing women’s and children’s marriage rights, covering topics such as marriage contracts, dower, dowry, dissolution, maintenance, custody, and polygamy. Drawing on Pakistani case law and comparative examples from other Muslim jurisdictions, it promotes gender-sensitive and rights-based adjudication. The publication aims to help judges interpret and apply family laws fairly and consistently to protect vulnerable groups and improve access to justice.