- 75 -51 - Religious Councils In last year's report, reference was made to the establishment of the Supreme Religious Council to review appeals from the decisions of the Religious Councils in cases of guardianship, trusteeship, and cases of persons lacking legal capacity. The Director of Justice, by the law establishing this council, has the right to refer to it the decision of any Religious Council regarding the administration of guardians and trustees, their appointment, and their dismissal. The authority of this Supreme Council is very extensive.

In the Ministry of Justice, a department for Religious Councils was established and attached to it were some inspectors who examine the decisions of the primary Religious Councils and complete the review of matters related to the sale or transfer of ownership of persons lacking legal capacity. The number of cases appealed to the Supreme Council reached 65 in the year 1911, most of which were appealed at the request of the concerned parties.

The Legal Advisor, in his report for the past year, made the following observations on the value of this council and the benefits derived from it by a segment of the population, which we approve: -"The beginning of the new system was good, rational, and wise. If it performs its function independently and without favoritism, it will be one of the most successful means of protecting many unfortunate people who have no one to defend them in their finances and dealings. If there were any need for such a council, and this need lacked other evidence, then this evidence exists in the reports of the inspectors who, in the past year, dedicated themselves to the work of almost all the Religious Councils in the entire country."

52 - Mixed Courts The work of the Mixed Courts has increased in recent years, but it decreased last year. It was previously predicted in these reports that this result would occur once the courts finished with the cases that arose from the financial crisis of 1907. However, the decrease in new cases is offset by an increase in disputes. Regarding this, the Legal Advisor says: "The number of new cases in the Court of Appeal decreased by 131 cases compared to the previous year (1848) versus (1619). However, the remaining disputes increased by (585) cases, compared to (1360). The part of the court decreased by (162) cases compared to the part in the previous year (1425). This situation is concerning and calls for action and reflection, as the disputes were