Sebastian Poulter
Sebastian Poulter was a British legal scholar and solicitor, noted for his research on family law in Lesotho, as well as his contributions to the study of law and ethnic diversity in the United Kingdom. He was known for his work on minority rights, anti-discrimination law and debates surrounding multiculturalism and Islamophobia.
Early career
Poulter studied law at the University of Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in London in 1967. That same year, he was appointed lecturer in law at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, based in Lesotho, where he later became senior lecturer.During this period, Poulter established his reputation as a teacher and researcher, focusing on Lesotho's legal system, particularly family law. In 1971, he returned to the United Kingdom, taking up a lectureship at the University of Sussex, and later became Reader in Law at the University of Southampton, a position he held until his death in 1998.
In 1977, he contributed to the drafting of legislation in Lesotho, directed a legal research project and served as Chairman of the Pardons Committee.
Contributions in Lesotho
Poulter played a role in shaping the legal framework of Lesotho, particularly in family law. He also trained a generation of local lawyers who went on to practice in the country. His scholarship documented and analyzed the interaction between customary law and modern legal systems.Work in England
From the 1970s onwards, Poulter's research increasingly focused on the legal and social position of ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom. His areas of interest included civil liberties, family law, criminal law, employment law, and the philosophical and political aspects of diversity.He frequently provided advice to organizations such as the Commission for Racial Equality and the Runnymede Trust. His work influenced debates on extending anti-discrimination legislation, including proposals to broaden the Race Relations Act to cover religious discrimination. In 1997, he co-authored a report for the Runnymede Trust examining hostility towards Muslims in Britain, helping to popularize the term Islamophobia.
Views
Poulter warned against both Islamophobia and what he described as "multicultural tolerance" that could shield harmful practices within minority communities. He argued that while ethnic and cultural diversity should be recognized within democratic societies, this recognition must remain consistent with secular principles and fundamental human rights.He strongly opposed female genital cutting, which he described as a violation of women's rights. He was also consulted by British authorities regarding requests from Muslim organizations in the United Kingdom to formally recognize Islamic personal law. He advised against such recognition, arguing that it conflicted with gender equality and secular law.
Selected works
- English Law and Ethnic Minority Customs
- Asian Traditions and English Law
- Towards Legislative Reform of the Blasphemy and Racial Hatred Laws, in UKACIA Need for Reform
- Ethnicity, Law and Human Rights
- "The Claim to a Separate Islamic System of Personal Law for British Muslims," in Chibli Mallat & Jane Connors, ''Islamic Family Law''