(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Members of the public are to get a say on whether the Islamic veil should be allowed in court.
The most senior judge in England and Wales said he recognised the wearing of the niqab - the Muslim garment which leaves only a woman's eyes visible - was "divisive".
He announced a public consultation will open on the subject soon.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the Lord Chief Justice, said results of the consultation will feed into the creation of new court guidelines, known as a practice direction, setting out the circumstances in which the niqab can be worn by defendants and witnesses.
"It's not an easy subject and we're in the process of drafting a practice direction," Lord Thomas said.
"I wouldn't describe it as the elephant in the courtroom but it is an important issue that has to be addressed. I regard it as the responsibility of the senior judiciary to give guidance.
"But we shall look forward to all your assistance in trying to reach the right answer to what is without doubt a problem that many people found divisive.
"We hope to be able to issue a draft for consultation in the very near future."
But he indicated that any final guidelines would leave judges with scope to make a final decision in each case.
"The basic principle will be that it must be for the judge in any case to make his own or her own decision but we will give clear guidance," said Lord Thomas.
In September a judge ruled that a 22 year-old Muslim woman should remove her veil to give evidence at her trial because the interests of justice required her facial expressions and demeanour to be visible.
Judge Peter Murphy said the woman facing charges of intimidating a witness and cannot be named for legal reasons, would have to remove her veil while giving evidence - but would be screened from the public gallery while doing so.
His compromise could form the basis of proposals which will be published by Lord Thomas for the public to comment upon.
David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said after the case that he would “back up” schools and courts that ask people to remove Muslim veils.
The debate over the Islamic veil intensified at the weekend when Kenneth Clarke, the former justice secretary, described the garment as a "kind of bag" and called for a "clear rule" banning the veil for those giving evidence.
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