Historical Development of Family Laws in Kenya

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LAWS IN KENYA  The studying pint in !"#i$y !"#i$y $"% is the &'() E"st A!*i+" A!*i+" O*de* in Cun+i$ %hi+h %hi+h "pp$ied +e*t"in Indi"n "nd ,*itish A+ts ! P"*$i"#ent t the E"st A!*i+"n P*te+t*"teIt "$s "pp$ied the +##n +##n $"% ! Eng$"nd %hi+h %hi+h %"s in !*+e !*+e "t the ti#e- Ins!"* "s the n"ti.es %e*e +n+e*ned the O*de* in Cun+i$ h"d $i#ited "pp$i+"tin it p*.ided th"t +"ses "g"inst n"ti.es %u$d /e /*ught in n"ti.e +u*ts "nd " C##issine* %"s gi.en the p%e* t est"/$ish "nd "/$ish thse N"ti.e Cu*ts "nd t *egu$"te thei* p*+edu*e "s %e$$ "s gi.e di*e+tins "s t the "pp$i+"tin ! n"ti.e $"% "nd +ust#As " *esu$t ! this p%e*0 the +##issine* #"de the n"ti.e +u*t *egu$"tins ! &'() "nd %h"t these *egu$"tins *egu$"tins p*.ided %"s th"t in #"tte*s "1e+ting the pe*sn"$ st"tus ! n"ti.es0 then the $"% ! thei* +"ste * t*i/e ins!"* "s it +u$d /e "s+e*t"ined "nd ins!"* "s it %"s nt *epugn"nt t n"tin"$ #*"$ity +u$d /e "pp$ied- F* thse n"ti.es %h %e*e %e*e Mus$i#s0 Is$"#i+ $"% %u$d "pp$y t the# "nd this %"s %ith *eg"*d t #"tte*s "1e+ting pe*sn"$ st"tus This s"#e !*#u$"tin !*#u$"tin is %h"t %h"t %e /"si+"$$y /"si+"$$y 2nd in u* 3udi+"tu*e 3udi+"tu*e A+t ins!"* ins!"* "s the "pp$i+"tin ! +ust#"*y $"% is +n+e*ned- The p*.isins %e*e !u*the* #di2ed /ut the *igins "*e N"ti.e Cu*ts Regu$"tins The*e %e*e %e*e "$s t% the* the* +##unities in Keny" Keny" "t the ti#e0 the the ,*itish C$nise*s C$nise*s "nd the Indi"ns %h h"d /een /*ught in "s $"/u* "nd the issue he*e %"s %hethe* !* thse g*ups they "pp$ied Indi"n A+t * ,*itish L"%s "nd +##n $"% *u$es %e*e "pp$ied- The Indi"n L"% %"s /"si+"$$y /"si+"$$y ,*itish ,*itish $"% th"t h"d /een p"ssed p"ssed in Indi" "nd the*e %"s nt #u+h di1e*en+e /et%een the t%0 they %e*e /.ius$y ge"*ed !* "pp$i+"tin t the the ,*itish Sett$e* /ut did did they "pp$y t the Hindu4 The "ssu#ptin %"s th"t in Keny"0 they %u$d "pp$y-

F* e5"#p$e the Indi"n Su++essin A+t ! &'670 this %"s ne ! the Indi"n "pp$ied A+ts unde* the &'() O*de* in Cun+i$- In Indi" it h"d /een e5p*ess$y st"ted th"t th"t p"*ti+u$"* A+t did nt "pp$y t su++essin #"tte*s ! Hindus in %hi+h +"se in Indi" they "pp$ied thei* +ust#"*y su++essin $"%s in #"tte*s ! su++essin- When this p"*ti+u$"* A+t %"s "pp$ied in Keny" the*e %"s n su+h e5+$usin %ith *eg"*d t the Keny" Hindus- The*e %e*e "$s issues "s *eg"*ds *eg"*ds #"**i"ge "nd di.*+e "nd they "pp$ied Eng$ish M"**i"ge L"%s- The*e %"s " /it ! p*/$e# %ith *eg"*d t the Hindus in Keny" espe+i"$$y espe+i"$$y /et%een &'() "nd &'(' %hen it %"s st"ted th"t the Indi"n Su++essin A+t did nt "pp$y t Hindus "nd th"t they %e*e t /e g.e*ned /y thei* %n +ust#"*y $"%$"%- F* thse Hindus %h h"d +n.e*ted t Ch*isti"nity0 t% A+ts %e*e p"ssed t +"te* !* thei* su++essin0 the Hindu Wi$$s A+t "nd the P*/"te "nd Ad#inist*"tin A+t ! Indi"0 the "ssu#ptin %"s th"t the *thd5 Hindus "pp$ied thei* +ust#"*y $"% in #"tte*s ! su++essin-

As e"*$y "s &'(' %e h".e "$$ these $"%s g.e*ning di1e*ent pep$es- In &(89 %e gt the E"st A!*i+" O*de* in Cun+i$ ! &(89 %hse #"in pu*pse %"s t +$"*i!y !u*the* %hen +ust#"*y $"% "pp$ied- It %"s st"ted th"t in "$$ +"ses %hethe* +i.i$ * +*i#in"$ in %hi+h n"ti.es %e*e p"*ties0 the +u*ts %u$d /e guided /y n"ti.e $"% in s !"* "s it %"s "pp$i+"/$e "nd nt *epugn"nt t 3usti+e "nd #*"$ity * in+nsistent %ith "ny $"% #"de in the p*te+t*"te- This !*#u$"tin ! the O*de* in Cun+i$ is the s"#e !*#u$"tin th"t %e h".e in Se+tin : ! u* ;udi+"tu*e A+t ins!"* "s "pp$i+"tin ! +ust#"*y $"% is +n+e*ned- In "*e"s ! !"#i$y $"% !* thse n"ti.es %h sti$$ p*"+ti+e +ust#"*y $"% "*e sti$$ g.e*ned /y A!*i+"n Cust#"*y L"%Mus$i#s sti$$ +ntinue t /e g.e*ned /y Mus$i# L"% /ut %ith Hindus " nu#/e* ! de.e$p#ents ++u**ed %hi+h #"de the Hindus t "dpt $"%s th"t %e*e si#i$"* t thse !und in the st"tues-

 The &(89 O*de* in Cun+i$ g".e the +##issine* p%e* t #"
 This %"s /"si+"$$y the s"#e "pp*"+h th"t %"s t"
R .- A#
Mst ! these +"ses %e*e "+tu"$$y de"$ing %ith issue ! "d#issi/i$ity ! e.iden+e gi.en /y the %i.es "*guing th"t they "*e in " p*i.i$eged psitin "nd the*e!*e +u$d nt testi!y "g"inst thei* hus/"nds in M%"it is un!*tun"te th"t the %*d %i!e "nd #"**i"ge h".e /een "pp$ied in this +nne+tin- I! n$y the %#"n p"*ty h"d /een des+*i/ed "s " +n+u/ine * s#ething ! the s*t0 the ?uestin +u$d ne.e* h".e "*isen-@ Th"t i$$ust*"ted the +$ni"$ +u*ts "ttitude t %#en %h %e*e #"**ied "++*ding t +ust#"*y $"%- They did nt dese*.e t /e te*#ed %i.es "s pe* the +$ni"$ists "nd the %i!e e.iden+e %"s ging t /e "d#issi/$e /e+"use they %e*e #"**ied unde* +ust#"*y $"%-

 THE NATIVE CHRISTIAN MARRIAE ORDINANCE IN &(8B

 The N"ti.e Ch*isti"n M"**i"ge O*din"n+e "pp$ied n$y t the #"**i"ge ! Ch*isti"n "pp$i+"nts- It %"s suppsed t supp$e#ent the #"**i"ge *din"n+e "nd %"s intended t *e$ie.e the A!*i+"ns ! the need t +#p$y %ith the !*#"$ities $"id d%n in the #"**i"ge *din"n+e- It n$y "pp$ied t A!*i+"ns %h p*!essed Ch*isti"nity "nd 3ust $i
 This A+t "$s p*.ided s#e p*te+tin t %id%s in the sense th"t %id%s %h h"d /een #"**ied unde* the *din"n+e %e*e p*te+ted !*# /eing inhe*ited "s %"s the +"se in +ust#"*y $"%- Th"t is they +u$d *e!use t su/3e+t the#se$.es t the su/3e+t ! %id%s inhe*it"n+e- The #"**i"ge h"d t /e +e$e/*"ted /y " +hu*+h #iniste* "nd /e!*e the +hu*+h #iniste* did this he h"d t s"tis!y hi#se$! th"t the p"*ties %e*e Ch*isti"ns-

 The n"ti.e #"**i"ge Ch*isti"n *din"n+e %"s *ep$"+ed in &'(& %ith the A!*i+"n Ch*isti"n M"**i"ge "nd Di.*+e A+t0 C"p &7& ! the $"%s ! Keny"-

 THE ENACTMENT OF THE DIVORCE ORDINANCE

 This %"s /"sed n the Indi"n Di.*+e A+t ! &'6( %hi+h %"s ne ! the A+ts "pp$ied /y the &'() O*de* in Cun+i$- It p*.ided * "1*ded *e$ie! n$y in *espe+t t #ng"#us #"**i"ges- This is sti$$ the psitin t the p*esent d"y- It %"s *ep$"+ed /y the #"t*i#ni"$ C"uses A+t in &(B&-

In &(9' %e "$s h".e "dditin"$ *e$ie.e /eing "++*ded /y the sep"*"tin Cu*ts Sep"*"tin  M"inten"n+e O*din"n+e %hi+h %"s $i#ited t #ng"#us #"**i"ges- It sti$$ e5ists unde* the s"#e n"#e in u* $"%s "nd its C"p &7:- The pu*pse %"s t p*.ide p"*ties %ith 3udi+i"$ sep"*"tin the* th"n di.*+e "nd "$s t p*.ide p"*ties in " #ng"#us #"**i"ge t see< #"inten"n+e %hi$e the #"**i"ge is sti$$ su/sisting-

In &(86 the Mh"##ed"n M"**i"ge  Di.*+e Regist*"tin O*din"n+e %"s int*du+ed t p*.ide !* *egist*"tin ! Is$"#i+ M"**i"ges "nd Di.*+es- P$e"se nte th"t it n$y p*.ides !* *egist*"tin ! #"**i"ge * di.*+e- The A+t is /"si+"$$y p*+edu*"$ "nd nt su/st"nti.e-

In &(B6 %e h".e the Hindu M"**i"ge Di.*+e "nd Su++essin O*din"n+e /eing en"+ted- This is %he*e Hindus p"*ted %"y %ith Hindu Cust#"*y L"%0 the A+t p*.ided th"t in !utu*e "$$ Hindu M"**i"ges %e*e *e?ui*ed t /e #ng"#us "nd the A+t e5tended t Hindus the *e$ie!s th"t "*e "."i$"/$e unde* the M"t*i#ni"$ A+t "nd unde* the su/*din"te Cu*ts sep"*"tin "nd #"inten"n+e A+t- nde* *thd5 Hindus #"**i"ges +"n /e p$yg"#usL"/e$sG !"#i$y $"% APPLICATION OF ENLISH FAMILY LAW

 This is "n "n#"$y gi.en th"t %e "*e de+"des int independen+e "nd yet %e sti$$ "pp$y Eng$ish L"%s "nd Eng$ish St"tutes p"*ti+u$"* in "*e"s ! !"#i$y $"%- This is in : %"ys

"Cntinued "pp$i+"tin ! +##n $"% in !*# ! +##n $"% p*esu#ptins %hi+h sti$$ "pp$y t Keny"0 e-g- C##n L"% Rights ! " %i!e t p$edge the hus/"nd=s +*edit- This h"s /een "pp$ied in Keny" in " nu#/e* ! +"ses P" tte*sn .- N"nyu
 The p*esu#ptin is th"t %hen " %i!e "+?ui*es gds n +*edit0 she is dee#ed t /e "+ting "s the hus/"nd=s "gent "nd the hus/"nd %i$$ /e $i"/$e t p"y-

In R"#3i D"ss it %"s st"ted th"t this p*esu#ptin e5isted e.en %hen the %i!e "nd hus/"nd %e*e nt $i.ing tgethe*-

/P*esu#ptin ! Ad."n+e#entG This n*#"$$y "*ises in " !"#i$y *e$"tinship %hen " !"#i$y #e#/e* t*"ns!e*s p*pe*ty t "nthe* /y %"y ! " gi!t- The issue "*ises "s t %hethe* the /ene2+i"$ inte*est in th"t p*pe*ty h"s /een t*"ns!e**ed t the the* pe*sn %hi+h is %h"t is
 The*e is "uth*ity t the e1e+t th"t the p*esu#ptin "pp$ies in Keny"0 in Sh"$$ .M"*y"#0 ,ishen Singh .- Mhinde* Singh0 S"*"h W"n3i
In the +"se ! W"n3i
 The +u*t *u$ed in !".u* ! Mutis "nd the %i!e "ppe"$edIt %"s he$d

&Whi$e the hus/"nd did nt +$e"*$y p$e"d *esu$ting t*ust0 the !"+ts ! the +"se "nd the p$e" ! t*ust= e1e+ti.e$y *e!e**ed t " *esu$ting t*ust9The*e %"s n e5p*ess t*ust in this +"se /e+"use the t*"ns!e* %"s spe+i2+ "nd e5p*ess$y /y %"y ! gi!t:Whe*e p*pe*ty is t*"ns!e**ed t "nthe* "s " gi!t %ith the intentin th"t the $"tte* h$d it "s t*ustee !* the !*#e*0 " *esu$ting t*ust #"y /e i#p$iedBThe p*esu#ptin ! "d."n+e#ent shu$d n$y /e #"de s "s t "++*d %ith the s+i"$ +nditins in Keny" "nd t +n!*# t the #st $i
 The Appe"$ %"s dis#issed-

+P*esu#ptin ! M"**i"geG This "*ises %he*e " #"n "nd %#"n +h"/it "nd +"$$ the#se$.es ut "s #"n "nd %i!e- nde* this p*esu#ptin they %i$$ /e dee#ed t /e #"**ied e.en i! they h".e nt unde*gne "ny !*#"$ #"**i"ge +e*e#ny- F"#i$y $"% is "$s t*ying t in+*p*"te +e*t"in situ"tins %hi+h d nt !"$$ %ithin the !"#i$y th*esh$d "nd this is ne ! the#- Whe*e p"*ties h".e nt #et $eg"$ *e?uisites t /e +"$$ed #"n "nd %i!e- This p*esu#ptin h"s /een "pp$ied t the Keny"n situ"tin %ith *eg"*d t this "ssu#ptin the Keny"n +u*ts h".e st"ted th"t this p*esu#ptin e5isted unde* A!*i+"n Cust#"*y L"%W"n3i
In W"n3i
In Pete* s Mi
In Ch"*$es M"n3"ni . Rse#"*y M*"" the p*esu#ptin %"s s"id t "pp$y e.en %he*e the %i!e h"d p*e.ius$y /een #"**ied t "nthe* #"n0 it %"s he$d th"t the p*esu#ptin %u$d "pp$y "nd the 2*st #"**i"ge %"s diss$.ed du*ing +h"/it"tin /ut /y the ti#e +h"/it"tin st"*ted it h"d nt /een $eg"$$y *es$.ed-

MARRIED WOMEN=S PROPERTY ACT OF &''9

An Eng$ish A+t th"t sti$$ "pp$ies in Keny" "nd is the p*in+ip$e $"% th"t "pp$ies %hen "pp*tining #"t*i#ni"$ p*pe*ty- In I .- I "nd in Antny K"*"n3" .- K"*"n3"

In I . I &()8 this is the 2*st *ep*ted de+isin ! the Keny"n High Cu*t %he*e the M"**ied W#en=s P*pe*ty A+t MWPA ! Eng$"nd %"s he$d t "pp$y in Keny"- The +u*t "$s +nside*ed ."*ius Eng$ish "uth*ities "nd #"de " 2nding n the p*esu#ptin ! "d."n+e#ent-

 The hus/"nd in this +"se h"d "+?ui*ed " p*pe*ty in Eng$"nd !*# his e"*nings "nd h"d it *egiste*ed in the 3int n"#es ! the spuses- The huse %"s su/se?uent$y s$d "nd #st ! the p*+eeds used t pu*+h"se " huse in Keny" %hi+h %"s

t*"ns!e**ed int the hus/"nd=s n"#e- The %i!e h"d e5pe+ted th"t the su/se?uent p*pe*ty %u$d g int thei* 3int n"#es-

 The ?uestin /e!*e the +u*t %"s %hethe* the M"**ied W#en=s P*pe*ty A+t ! &''9 ! Eng$"nd MWPA %u$d "pp$y in Keny"- Fu*the*0 %hethe* the p*esu#ptin ! "d."n+e#ent t the %i!e "s " *esu$t ! the initi"$ t*"ns!e* t he*se$! ! " h"$!sh"*e h"d /een *e/uttedHe$dG

&The MWPA %"s " st"tute ! gene*"$ "pp$i+"tin in Eng$"nd n &9 August &'()- It %u$d the*e!*e "pp$y in Keny" s !"* "s the +i*+u#st"n+es ! Keny" "nd its inh"/it"nts pe*#it- The MWPA %u$d "pp$y in p*i*ity t +ust#"*y $"%- ;udi+"tu*e A+t C"p ' se+tin : +nside*ed9The p*esu#ptin ! "d."n+e#ent #"y /e *e/utted %he*e p*pe*ty %"s "+?ui*ed !* the 3int use ! the spuses- The p*esu#ptin th"t the p*pe*ty %"s +n.eyed t the %i!e !* he* %n use is h%e.e* nt *e/utted i! the t*"ns!e* %"s e1e+ted t de!e"t +*edit*s:In this +"se0 the*e %"s " pstnupti"$ sett$e#ent /et%een the p"*ties in *e$"tin t the p*pe*ty ! the #"**i"ge- The %*d sett$e#ent= shu$d /e gi.en " %ide +nst*u+tin- Hen+e0 the +u*t h"s p%e* unde* se+tin 9' ! the M"t*i#ni"$ C"uses A+t K0 %hi+h is "pp$i+"/$e in this +"seBThe hus/"nd in this +"se h"d nt sh%n "ny *e"sn !* ."*i"tin ! the p*enupti"$ sett$e#ent /et%een the spuses-

In K"*"n3" .- K"*"n3" du*ing the +u*se ! thei* #"**i"ge0 the p"*ties "+?ui*ed se.e*"$ p*pe*ties %hi+h %e*e "$$ *egiste*ed in the n"#e ! the hus/"nd- One p*pe*ty %"s "+?ui*ed !*# #ney supp$ied /y the %i!e %hi$e the the* p*pe*ties %e*e "+?ui*ed %ith he* di*e+t * indi*e+t +nt*i/utin- The +u*t +nside*ed %hethe* +ust#"*y $"% %u$d pe*"te t dis?u"$i!y "ny i#put"tin ! t*ust in !".u* ! " #"**ied %#"n0 espe+i"$$y ne in s"$"*ied e#p$y#entHe$dG &The M"**ied W#en=s P*pe*ty A+t is "pp$i+"/$e t Keny"0 "nd +ust#"*y $"% is su/3e+t t "ny %*itten $"%9E.en %ithut p%e* t t*"ns!e* p*pe*ty0 the +u*t h"s p%e* unde* the MWPA t g*"nt de+$"*"tins ! %ne*ship ! p*pe*ty- In +"ses %he*e the

p*pe*ty %"s "+?ui*ed "s " 3int .entu*e0 it %i$$ /e *eg"*ded "s /e$nging t the spuses 3int$y n #"tte* in %hse n"#e the p*pe*ty st"nds:The "/sen+e ! "n "g*ee#ent * intentin th"t the +nt*i/uting spuse sh"*e /ene2+i"$$y in the p*pe*ty des nt e5+$ude the i#put"tin ! su+h "n intentin- This %i$$ depend n the $"% ! t*ust0 %hi+h %i$$ nt distinguish /et%een di*e+t "nd indi*e+t +nt*i/utinBWhe*e "n A!*i+"n hus/"nd "nd %i!e "*e in s"$"*ied e#p$y#ent0 the i#put"tin ! " t*ust +"nnt /e *e3e+ted ut*ight- This i#p$i+"tin %u$d "*ise %he*e the %i!e is +nt*i/uting indi*e+t$y th*ugh p"y#ents !* huseh$d "nd the* e5penses %hi+h the hus/"nd %u$d the*%ise h".e h"d t p"y7In this +"se0 the hus/"nd he$d the i##."/$e p*pe*ties in dispute in t*ust !* hi#se$! "nd his %i!e in p*p*tins ! t% t ne *espe+ti.e$y- H%e.e*0 it %u$d nt /e e?uit"/$e t *de* s"$e * pssessin ! the K"*en p*pe*ty sin+e the hus/"nd %"s *esiding the*e %ith his ne% !"#i$y-

 The 2n"$ de+isin ! the +u*t t "%"*d nethi*d /ene2+i"$ inte*est in the p*pe*ties t the %i!e is +##end"/$e The A+t p*.ides th"t " #"**ied %#"n is +"p"/$e ! "+?ui*ing0 %ning "nd dispsing ! p*pe*ty "s he* %n sep"*"te p*pe*ty "nd the hist*y t this A+t is th"t unde* Eng$ish L"% %#en +u$d nt h$d sep"*"te p*pe*ty- This "+t $i/e*"ted #"**ied %#en %h +"n n% %n "nd dispse 1 thei* %n p*pe*ty-

Regist*"tin /y Re!e*en+e

&nde* the M"t*i#ni"$ C"uses A+t Se+tin : it p*.ides th"t the $"% th"t is t /e "pp$ied in M"t*i#ni"$ p*+eedings is th"t %hi+h "pp$ies in the High Cu*t ! ;usti+e ! Eng$"nd- This p*.isin e5ists in u* $"% s %hen %e d*"!t u* p$e"dings in #"t*i#ni"$ "nd di.*+e +"ses %e h".e t g /"+< t the p*+eedings in Eng$"nd t see h% they d it-

9Se+tin :7 ! the M"**i"ge A+t %hi+h p*.ides th"t n #"**i"ge %i$$ /e ."$id i! the p"*ties "*e %ithin p*hi/ited deg*ees ! "nity "++*ding t the $"% ! Eng$"nd- Ag"in %e g /"+< t Eng$ish $"% t 2nd ut %h"t "*e the deg*ees ! "nity "nd then 2nd ut %h +"nnt #"**y %h in te*#s ! *e$"tins-

A #"3* p*/$e# is %h"t h"ppens %hen " $"% unde*ges su/se?uent +h"nges0 d %e "dpt the +h"nges %h$es"$e4 The pe*!e+t e5"#p$e is in di.*+e $"%0 the di.*+e $"% unde*%ent #"3* *e!*# in &()8 e-g- %hen it +#es t di.*+e yu 2nd th"t t /t"in " di.*+e yu h".e t p*.e th"t the the* p"*ty h"s /een gui$ty ! " !"u$t- In &()8 in Eng$"nd "$$ these g*unds %e*e *e#.ed "nd the*e is n$y ne g*und th"t ! i**e+n+i$"/$e di1e*en+es- In Keny" yu sti$$ h".e t ?ute ne * #*e ! the g*unds th"t "*e $isted in the #"t*i#ni"$ +"uses A+t-

K . K HCCC N- &9: ! &()7 %he*e it %"s he$d th"t "ny "#end#ents %hi+h "*e +nt*"*y t u* %n $"%s %u$d nt /e "pp$i+"/$e in u* %n situ"tinL"/e$sG !"#i$y $"% CHANIN ONE=S FAMILY LAW FROM ONE SYSTEM TO ANOTHER

 The issue is %hethe* ne +"n +h"nge !*# ne syste# ! !"#i$y $"% t "nthe* e-g+"n ne +h"nge !*# Eng$ish St"tut*y L"% t Cust#"*y L"% * .i+e .e*s"4  The*eti+"$$y it $
Eng$ish $"% st"*ted %ith " situ"tin ! nnt$e*"n+e ! the* !"#i$y $"% syste#s the* th"n thei* %n !"#i$y $"% syste# "nd yu 2nd +"ses $i
Hyde .- Hyde

 This +"se +n+e*ned the #"**i"ge in &'7' ! t% M*#ns in S"$t L"
Re ,ethe$ &'''

In this +"se "n Eng$ish #"n #"**ied " ,ts%"n" W#"n unde* ,ts%"n" +ust#"*y $"% "nd they h"d " +hi$d0 the hus/"nd died "nd $e!t p*pe*ty in Eng$"nd- The issue %"s %hethe* this d"ughte* %"s $egiti#"te "nd +u$d the*e!*e inhe*it the p*pe*ty in Eng$"nd "nd the +u*t he$d th"t th"t #"**i"ge %"s nt *e+gnied unde* Eng$ish $"% /e+"use it %"s ptenti"$$y p$yg"#us "nd the d"ughte* %"s the*e!*e nt $egiti#"te "nd +u$d nt inhe*it the p*pe*ty- And they ?uted Hyde=s +"se th"t #"**i"ge %"s the .$unt"*y unin !* $i!e ! ne #"n "nd ne %#"n t the e5+$usin ! "$$ the*s-

E5 P"*te Mi* An%"**udin &(&)

H"d " si#i$"* *u$ing %ith Re ,ethe$

 The "ttitude ! the Eng$ish +u*ts nt *e+gniing "ny the* $"% %"s "$s !und in Keny" in +$ni"$ ti#es Re A#
F*# &(B8 the Eng$ish Cu*ts st"*ted t +h"nge thei* "ttitude "nd st"*ted *e+gniing the* !"#i$y $"% syste#s !* pu*pses ! ente*t"ining #"t*i#ni"$ +"uses "*ising !*# thse syste#s- Nte th"t this *e+gnitin %"s nt !* pu*pses ! ."$id"ting the# /ut !* pu*pses ! !"+i$it"ting the +h"nge !*# thse syste#s t st"tut*y !"#i$y $"% syste#s s th"t they %u$d *e+gnie "nthe* !"#i$y $"% syste# !* pu*pses ! in."$id"ting it * pu*pses ! !"+i$it"ting +h"nge !*# th"t syste# t the Eng$ish $"% syste#-

Du*ing &(B8s up th*ugh t the p*esent d"y0 +u*ts n% d *e+gnie the* !"#i$y $"% syste#s "nd *e+gnie th"t yu +"n +h"nge !*# ne syste# t "nthe*

,"nd"i$ .- ,"nd"i$

A Hindu p$yg"#us #"**i"ge %"s *e+gnied !* pu*pses ! nu$$i!ying in Eng$"nd-

S%" .- S%"

In this +"se0 " p$yg"#us #"**i"ge %"s +e$e/*"ted in h"n" %he*e the p"*ties %e*e d#i+i$ed- P*i* t the +e*e#ny the hus/"nd p*#ised the %i!e th"t he %u$d g th*ugh " $"te* +e*e#ny %hi+h0 "++*ding t the $"% ! h"n"0 %u$d +n.e*t the unin int " #ng"#us #"**i"ge- He !"i$ed t +"**y ut his p*#iseIt %"s he$d th"t0 despite his p*#ise "nd despite the !"+t th"t the hus/"nd h"d nt t"
 The Eng$ish +u*ts "$s #"de *u$ings "s t %h"t "+ts +u$d +h"nge " p$yg"#us #"**i"ge t " #ng"#us #"**i"ge- The 2*st "+t %"s " +h"nge ! *e$igius /e$ie! ! !"ith %hi+h then "1e+ted the p"*ties $eg"$ st"tus %"s the 2*st "+t t /e *e+gnied-

,Y CHANE OF RELIION

Sinh" Pee"*"ge C"se &(B6 & A$$ E-R- 96: P-C

 The p"*ties +h"nged thei* Hindu Se+t !*# ne p*"+ti+ing p$yg"#us #"**i"ge t ne p*"+ti+ing #ng"#us #"**i"ge- It %"s he$d th"t +h"nging thei* *e$igius /e$ie!s +h"nged thei* #"*it"$ st"tus "nd the p$yg"#us #"**i"ge %"s +h"nged t " #ng"#us ne-

A- O! Cey$n . Reid &(67 A-C- )98

L+"$ Legis$"tin is ne *e+gnied %"y %ith the "i# ! +h"nging the +h"*"+te* ! nes !"#i$y $"% syste#-

,Y STATTE

P"*<"sh .- Singh &(6) & A$$ E-R-

A st"tute +n.e*ted Si
nde* u* %n Ch*isti"n M"**i"ges A+t it is yu* *e$igin th"t dete*#ines %hethe* yu +"n +h"nge yu* +"teg*y ! #"**i"ge-

Whe*e the*e is " se+nd +e*e#ny ! #"**i"ge th"t is designed t +h"nge ne st"tus !*# p$yg"#us t #ng"#us unin- This is the
Oh+hu
 The p"*ties h"d /een #"**ied unde* Nige*i"n Cust#"*y L"% "nd then unde*%ent " Ch*isti"n M"**i"ge- nde* Eng$ish $"% %hi+h +*e"ted " #ng"#us #"**i"ge

,Y CHANE OF DOMICILE

A$i .- A$i

 This +"se p*.ides "uth*ity !* the p*psitin th"t0 i! " hus/"nd +h"nges his d#i+i$e !*# " +unt*y th"t pe*#its p$yg"#y t ne %hi+h des nt0 this +h"nge ! d#i+i$e *ende*s the #"**i"ge #ng"#us-

Ch"nge ! D#i+i$e

D#i+i$e is essenti"$$y nes pe*#"nent h#e * the p$"+e th"t ne intends t set up thei* pe*#"nent *esiden+e "nd in this +"se the p"*ties h"d +nt*"+ted " p$yg"#us #"**i"ge in Indi" /ut the #"**i"ge h"d *e#"ined " de !"+t #ng"#us #"**i"ge They then +h"nged thei* D#i+i$e t Eng$"nd %hi+h +h"nged thei* #"**i"ge int " de3u*e #ng"#us #"**i"ge-

 The Eng$ish "++epted in t% ph"ses g*"du"$$y *e+gniing the* !"#i$y $"% syste#s !* the pu*pses ! nu$$i!ying thse unins * +n.e*ting the# int Eng$ish syste#s0 /ut ne.e* .i+e .e*s"-

 The Keny"n situ"tin is .e*y #u+h $i
Se+tin ( ! the A!*i+"n Ch*isti"n M"**i"ge "nd Di.*+e A+t p*.ided !* p"*ties %h "*e #"**ied unde* +ust#"*y $"% t #"**y unde* the A+t i! they %ish t d s "nd the*e "*e " nu#/e* ! p"*ties th"t

 The Is$"#i+ $"% unde* se+tin 7 6 "$s in "ny %"y des p*.ide ! +n.e*sin ! +ust#"*y $"% #"**i"ges t Is$"#i+ #"**i"ges0 thugh nt di*e+t$y- The se+tin #"
In u* situ"tin ne +"n +h"nge nes !"#i$y $"%

C"se L"%

Ay/ .- &(6' E-A- )9

Est"te ! Ruen3i

Re Og$$"=s Est"te

In Ay/ +"se the p"*ties %e*e Mus$i#s "nd they gt #"**ied unde* the M"**i"ge A+t "s the st"tut*y $"% #"**i"ge- On the s"#e d"y they %e*e #"**ied unde* Mus$i# L"%- Su/se?uent$y the hus/"nd di.*+ed the %i!e /y %"y ! t"$"< " Mus$i# !*# ! di.*+e- He then %ent t +u*t see
Ruen3i "nd Og$"  !"+ts "*e si#i$"*

Est"te ! Ruen3i

 The de+e"sed " Ki
In /th Ruen3i "nd Og$" " #"n #"**ied his 2*st %i!e unde* st"tut*y $"% "nd then +nt*"+ted se+nd #"**i"ge unde* +ust#"*y $"%- The #"n died "nd the ?uestin

"*se %hethe* /th %i.es +u$d /ene2t !*# the hus/"nd Est"te- The +u*t he$d th"t the se+nd %i.es %e*e nt *e+gnied unde* St"tut*y $"% /e+"use the #"n did nt h".e +"p"+ity t +nt*"+t " se+nd #"**i"ge "nd they the*e!*e they "nd thei* +hi$d*en +u$d nt inhe*it !*# the #"n=s est"te- The +u*t is s"ying th"t the #"n +u$d nt +n.e*t !*# " st"tut*y %"y ! $i!e th"t he h"d +##itted hi#se$! t- The se+nd %i.es %e*e nt *e+gnied-

 These t% +"ses %e*e inst*u#ent"$ in $e"ding t Su++essin L"% "nd in u* L"% ! Su++essin A+t %hi$st e.en unde* +ust#"*y $"% %i.es +"n inhe*it i**espe+ti.e ! the !"+t th"t the hus/"nds +u$d h".e #"**ied p*e.ius$y unde* st"tut*y $"%-

 The +u**ent /i$$ t "#end the +nstitutin "dd*esses this issue /y gi.ing e?u"$ *e+gnitin t "$$ the syste#s unde* the +nstitutin- F"#i$y $"% syste# %i$$ /e p*te+ted "nd n+e ne +h"nges thei* *e$igin "s " *esu$t th"t +h"nge %i$$ /e *e+gnied "nd gu"*"nteed- Wh"t is *e#"ining is t *e+gnie "nd /*ing "$$ the syste# unde* ne syste# "nd gi.e the# +nstitutin"$ p*te+tin-

Othe* %"ys in %hi+h !"#i$y $"% #ight /e +h"nged

&Whe*e ne #"**ies s#ene p*"+ti+ing "nthe* !"#i$y $"% syste#G !* e5"#p$e i! " pe*sn p*"+ti+ing " +ust#"*y $"% syste# #"**ies " pe*sn p*"+ti+ing Is$"#i+ $"% n*#"$$y the i#p$i+"tin is th"t th"t #"**i"ge %i$$ /est% upn the p"*ties " ne% !"#i$y $"% syste# "nd n*#"$$y the pe*"ting $"% syste# %i$$ /e th"t ! the #"n- Ou*s is " p"t*i"*+h"$ s+iety-

9-

ne +"n "$s "+?ui*e " ne% !"#i$y $"% syste# /y +h"nge ! D#i+i$e

A$i /h"i " !"#i$y %"s "$$%ed t +h"nge thei* !"#i$y $"% syste# "!te* sett$ing "t the Keny" C"st- F*# Hindu t Is$"#-

Ch"nge ! F"#i$y L"% in the* 3u*isdi+tin  +ited unde* +nQi+t ! #"**i"ge $"%s

M"n3"ny . Ndng &(6) ;AL &:

M
 These +"ses de"$t %ith +h"nge ! !"#i$y $"% syste#0

 These +"ses  #st ! +##n%e"$th 3u*isdi+tin h".e /"si+"$$y "dpted the Keny" psitin th"t is0 yu +"nnt +h"nge nes !"#i$y $"% syste# 3ust /y +h"nging nes *e$igin espe+i"$$y i! it is !*# st"tut*y $"% syste# t the* !"#i$y $"% syste#-

On%undin3 .- On%undin3 %"s " su++essin #"tte*0 the the* %i!e +u$d nt inhe*it /e+"use the hus/"nd h"d +nt*"+ted "n e"*$ie* st"tut*y $"% #"**i"ge-

In M"ny""pe$ " se+nd +ust#"*y $"% #"**i"ge /et%een the p"*ties %"s de+$"*ed nu$$ "nd .id /e+"use "t the ti#e ! +nt*"+ting the hus/"nd h"d nt ."$id$y di.*+ed the 2*st %i!e %h he h"d #"**ied unde* st"tut*y $"%-

In the "#/i" in M"n3"ny .s- Ndng the +u*ts *e+gnied yu +u$d +h"nge !*# st"tut*y t Is$"#i+ $"% #"**i"ge /y +nt*"+ting "n Is$"#i+ #"**i"ge +e*e#ny "!te* the st"tut*y #"**i"ge +e*e#ny

In Ay/ the !"+ts "*e si#i$"* t M"n3"ny /ut the +u*ts *u$ed di1e*ent$y-

In Ay/0 the "ppe$$"nt " Sunni Mus$i#0 "nd the *espndent0 " Shiite Mus$i#0 %e*e #"**ied in "++*d"n+e %ith the M"**i"ge A+t C"p &78- A #"**i"ge unde* this A+t is #ng"#us- Su/se?uent$y they %ent th*ugh " +e*e#ny ! #"**i"ge "++*ding t Mh"##ed"n L"%0 the *espndent /y then h".ing "dpted the d+t*ines ! he* hus/"nd=s se+t- The "ppe$$"nt $"te* pu*p*ted t di.*+e the *espndent /y p*nun+ing t"$"<- The Appe$$"nt then0 /y petitin t the High Cu*t0 sught "

de+$"*"tin th"t his #"**i"ge t the *espndent %"s $"%!u$$y diss$.ed- The $e"*ned  3udge he$d th"t " #"**i"ge unde* the M"**i"ge A+t %"s nt " Mh"##ed"n #"**i"ge "nd th"t it +u$d n$y /e diss$.ed du*ing the 3int $i!eti#e ! the spuses /y " ."$id 3udg#ent ! di.*+e p*nun+ed unde* the M"t*i#ni"$ C"uses A+t C"p &79 "nd he "++*ding$y dis#issed the petitin-

In R"tt"nsey the !"+ts %e*e si#i$"* /ut the +u*ts he$d th"t the t"$"< te*#in"ted the st"tut*y $"% #"**i"ge e"*$ie* +nt*"+ted-

"#/i" "nd T"n"ni"  these +"n /e distinguished !*# the* +##n%e"$th +unt*ies in the sense th"t they h".e #"de "n "tte#pt t *e+gnie thei* %n !"#i$y $"%s "nd Is$"#i+ L"% "nd St"tut*y L"% in "#/i" "*e e?u"$-

CONFLICTS THAT ARISE

 The +nQi+ts th"t "*ise "*e in : #"in *espe+ts

&CnQi+t /et%een st"tut*y "nd the* syste#s ! !"#i$y $"% /e+"use ! the *e$u+t"n+e /y the +u*t t *e+gnie th"t ne +h"nge !*# st"tut*y t the* !"#i$y $"%s- E-g- p"*ties %i$$ get #"**ied unde* st"tut*y $"% "nd +ntinue t $i.e thei* +ust#"*y %"y ! $i!e "nd in the p*+ess +nt*"+t +ust#"*y $"% #"**i"ges "nd the issue is t %h"t e5tent %i$$ th"t +ust#"*y $"% "pp$y t pep$e #"**ied unde* st"tut*y $"%4

 The*e "*e situ"tins su+h "s Re Og$" "*ising * st*ies ! pep$e h".ing gtten #"**ied unde* st"tut*y $"% "nd then getting #"**ied unde* +ust#"*y $"% "nd $"te* t *e"$ie th"t they h".e +##itted "n 1en+e-

9Di1e*ent Cust#"*y L"% syste#s espe+i"$$y A!*i+"n +ust#"*y $"% syste#- This p*/$e# is e5"+e*/"ted /y the !"+t th"t the Keny"n ppu$"tin is /e+#ing u*/"nied "nd %hen %e s"y th"t the Keny" +ust#"*y $"% "pp$ies0 %hi+h is the +ust#"*y $"% "nd espe+i"$$y !* pep$e %h $i.e in u*/"n "*e"s "nd d nt p*"+ti+e "ny +ust#"*y $"%-

:St"tutes  t% e5"#p$es %i$$ /e /et%een the M"**i"ge A+t "nd the L"% ! Su++essin A+t %he*e/y unde* the M"**i"ge A+t #"**i"ges "*e st*i+t$y #ng"#us "nd it is "n 1en+e t +ndu+t " se+nd #"**i"ge /ut the L"% ! Su++essin gi.es *e+gnitin t ptenti"$$y p$yg"#us #"**i"ge "nd th"t they +"n inhe*it unde* this $"%- nde* the M"t*i#ni"$ C"uses A+t the*e is n p*.isin !* "pp$i+"tin ! +ust#"*y $"% in dete*#ining the !"te ! the +hi$d*en- nde* the +hi$d*en=s "+t the "+t p*.ides th"t in #"tte*s dete*#ining +ustdy ! +hi$d*en ne ! the #"tte*s t /e t"