Governing the Law in the Islamic Republic of Iran

doi:10.1017/9781108630603.001

1 - Governing the Law in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 April 2025

Mirjam Künkler

Edited by

Hadi Enayat and

Mirjam Künkler

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Hadi Enayat: Affiliation:
Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, Aga Khan University
Mirjam Künkler: Affiliation:
Institute for Advanced Legal Study

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Summary

The Islamic Republic of Iran prides itself on the extent to which it has codified Islamic law, and it bases its entire legal system, not only constitutional or family law, but ostensibly all realms of law, on legal codes in which Islamic notions of justice have been codified into positive law. The chapter first provides a brief survey of the various uses and connotations of the concept of rule of law. After offering an overview of the evolution of the modern legal system in Iran, it reviews the main elements of the 1979 constitution and its 1989 amendment. It then discusses three central concepts through which Islamic law as codified has been reformed and revised. The chapter then presents the main outlines of the legal and judicial system of Iran, before offering an overview of the chapters of the book. The chapter closes with reflections on the main challenges to the rule of law in Iran today.

Keywords

legal development judicial development rule of law rule by law Islamization of law Iran’s judiciary

Type: Chapter
Information: The Rule of Law in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Power, Institutions, and the Limits of Reform
, pp. 1 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108630603.001 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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