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governed according to the laws approved by the majority of that council and then ratified by the Egyptian and English governments. I do not know if anyone sees that this system necessitates the abolition of the mixed rule, but I see that the most accurate thing to say about it is that it is a system that necessitates the continuation of the judicial system known as mixed rule for as long as God wills. This is the shortest answer to the question we have explained, and it is good to elaborate on two essential matters in it. They are: (1) The possible change in the origin of the laws governing the courts, and by extension, in the future. (2) The possible change in the composition of these courts. As for the first matter, it is necessary and not to be prevented, in the interest of the Europeans residing in Egypt, that the principles of the civil and commercial laws enacted for them be in accordance with the principles familiar to most of them. I will suffice here by repeating what was stated in my report for last year (page 13), where I said: "I point out that the British and Egyptian governments officially declare that they do not intend to change the fundamental principles upon which the civil and criminal laws are based, but rather these principles will remain consistent with the principles of European laws, especially the laws of the Latin nations. As for what is added to them, permitted, and amended, it will be according to what the country's circumstances and needs dictate." One might object to this statement by saying that our phrase "fundamental principles upon which the civil and criminal laws are based" is not as clear and precise as it should be. I admit that this objection is not without merit, but I do not think that interpreting this phrase makes the task easier. The intended meaning is clear: the origin of Egyptian laws is derived from a group of laws that do not resemble each other perfectly, but they all share some characteristics and features, as is known to those familiar with the science of comparative law. I request that Egyptian laws be such that they can be gradually improved according to the needs of the country, as is the case in various Latin countries. Also, no fundamental change should be introduced that would sever this continuous improvement. I offer three guarantees against its alteration: the first is the "fundamental principle," which I have advised the Egyptian and English governments to grant. The second is the composition of the Legislative Council, which should be mixed, as previously stated. The third is that if a dispute arises in defining the "fundamental principle" (and this dispute is very unlikely to occur), it will be submitted to the International Court of Arbitration for resolution. (4)