Jewish Tribunal Under the Shops Acts, 1936 and 1950: Minutes and Papers

The Tribunal was established under s.7 of the Shops Act 1936 and continues under s.53 of the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act 1950. It is composed of members of the Jewish religion appointed by the Board of Deputies of British Jews subject to the approval of the Home Secretary, who also lays down the rules by which the Tribunal operates. It has the duty to determine, in cases referred to it by local authorities, whether the occupier of a shop who is registered as holding conscientious objections on religious grounds to carrying on trade or business on the Jewish Sabbath is indeed of the Jewish religion and genuinely entertains such objections. If the Tribunal finds against the occupier, his registration is revoked by the local authority and he is thereby precluded from trading on Sundays. The Tribunal held its first hearing on 4 January 1938.