It is essential to use a divorce lawyer experienced in working with a particular religious denomination and the intricacies of international divorce law. The family law firm Woolley & Co, specialise in such cases and the most common issues they come across are the validity of an Islamic marriage, known as the Nikkah, an Islamic divorce, known as Talaq, and the Get or Jewish divorce.
Talaq is the term used to mean divorce in accordance with Islamic rules. Under traditional Islamic Law, a bare Talaq divorce takes place when the husband pronounces three times: ‘I divorce you.’ Such a pronouncement has the effect of dissolving the marriage instantly, however, this is not enough to satisfy the UK courts.
Andrew Woolley, senior partner at Woolley & Co, who can help with divorce rights and getting a divorce says, “A Talaq divorce is recognised in both Pakistan and Bangladesh, any Talaq divorce obtained there would be legally binding in the UK provided certain conditions are met. However, a Muslim wishing to divorce in the UK cannot simply say ‘I divorce you, I divorce you, I divorce you’. They have to go through the English legal divorce process.”
The Get (Hebrew word for the divorce document) is also common in the UK. Jewish law applies to a Jewish person no matter what country they live in and if a Jewish couple divorce under UK law but not under Jewish law, it means they are still married in the eyes of the Jewish faith which clearly can be very important in religious, if not legal terms.
Mr Woolley, from the firm who specialise in divorce and family law, added, “Both husband and wife need a Get to be able to remarry as orthodox Jews and remain integrated into the Jewish community. A Jewish Beth Din court can issue a Get. The parties have to have ceased living together and be at separate addresses and they also both need to agree to it.”
Anyone going through a divorce where there are international elements or where issues of faith are important must obtain specialist divorce advice from suitable experienced and qualified divorce lawyers.
About Woolley & Co. Solicitors
Woolley & Co. Solicitors are family law specialists, operating throughout the UK. Their web site, www.family-lawfirm.co.uk, includes an extensive selection of articles covering every aspect of divorce as well as a free, downloadable in-depth guide to undergoing a divorce and overcoming any unseen complications that may arise.
Find out more about getting a divorce with a fixed fee divorce lawyer at www.family-lawfirm.co.uk
