On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the College of Law at the University of Baghdad witnessed the defense of a Master’s thesis in the Department of Private Law entitled “Weighing Judicial Evidence in Personal Status Disputes – A Comparative Study,” submitted by the student Rahma Riyadh Jameel.
The examination committee consisted of:
•Professor Dr. Hamid Sultan Ali – Chair
•Professor Dr. Mohammed Bandar Ali – Member
•Professor Dr. Sahira Hasban Kadhim – Member
•Assistant Professor Dr. Harith Ali Ibrahim – Member and Supervisor
The thesis presented a comparative analytical study on the weighing of judicial evidence in personal status disputes, highlighting the significance of this topic in achieving judicial justice and resolving family conflicts. The study was divided into three main chapters, each comprising three sections.
The first chapter addressed the concept of weighing judicial evidence, methods of reconciling conflicting evidence, and the jurisprudential rules related to proof. The second chapter examined the rules for weighing evidence in disputes arising from the marriage contract and its legal consequences. The third chapter focused on weighing evidence in disputes related to divorce, lineage, wills, and inheritance.
The findings emphasized the importance of clearly defining legislative standards regarding the burden of proof in exceptional circumstances, addressing legislative gaps in cases of conflicting evidence, and establishing precise criteria for assessing the strength and legal value of evidence. The thesis also stressed the necessity of documenting essential financial matters before or during the marriage contract and activating the court’s role in verifying the strength of evidentiary submissions.
At the conclusion of the defense, the committee decided to accept the thesis and recommend the awarding of the degree, praising the scholarly effort and the comparative methodology adopted.
