The Islamic Law and Society journal was initiated by Peri Bearman, Senior Acquisitions Editor at E.J. Brill, in 1992. The first issue appeared in 1994, and the three initial co-editors were David S. Powers, Baber Johansen, and Aharon Layish. Beginning with volume three, Powers has served as the sole editor. The predominantly English-language journal provides a forum for research in the field of classical and modern Islamic law in Muslim and non-Muslim countries. The journal encourages discussion on all branches of Islamic law, with a view to promoting an understanding of Islamic law, in both theory and practice, from juridical, historical, and social-scientific perspectives.