Lessons from Germany: Should UK legislation circumnavigate or circumvent the issue of male circumcision? Judgment of the Landgericht Cologne May 7th 2012 and its aftermath

A recent Court decision in Cologne Germany concerning circumcision has resulted in a rapid response from the German Government. The German Parliament has passed new legislation confirming the lawfulness of ritual circumcision. However there are questions as to whether the German Parliament has done enough. This note looks at the background to the case in
question and considers its ethical implications whilst also considering the analogous position in the UK. The author makes recommendations to change the current English law in this area