Islamic marriage and divorce solicitors in St AlbansPractical advice on where you stand in law, given with respect for your faith.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
Family & finance consultation (60 minutes)
£250+ VAT
£300 including VAT
- Typical timescale
- It depends on what you need.
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
We start with a 60-minute solicitor consultation to work out where you stand, credited against our fees if you instruct us. After that, we give you a clear estimate for each stage, or a fixed fee where one applies, such as for a divorce application.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Family & finance consultation (60 minutes) | £250+ VAT£300 incl. VAT | £300 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include court fees, which you pay directly to the court.
Typical timescale. It depends on what you need. A civil divorce has minimum waiting periods set by law, and any other court claim depends on the court's timetable.
Court fees on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
| Principal solicitor | £295 + VAT |
|---|---|
| Principal solicitor (complex matters) | £350 + VAT |
| Associate solicitor | £220–£240 + VAT |
| Caseworker | £150–£160 + VAT |
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- You had a nikah and aren't sure whether the law of England and Wales treats you as married.
- You're separating after a nikah, with or without a civil marriage, and want to know your rights to the home, money, and children.
- You're planning a nikah and want to make sure your marriage is also recognised in law.
How we can help
Step 1: Work out your legal status
We look at where and how your nikah took place, and whether a civil marriage was registered, to work out whether the law treats you as married.
Step 2: Explain your rights
We explain what claims you can make if you separate, which depends on whether you're legally married.
Step 3: Civil divorce if you're married
If you're legally married, you need a civil divorce to end the marriage in law. We can help with the divorce and a financial settlement.
Step 4: Other claims if you're not
If you're not legally married, we advise on claims you may still have, such as a share of a home or financial support for your children.
Step 5: Making your marriage legal
If you're planning to marry, or have had a nikah only, we explain how to register a civil marriage so you have legal protection.
Why your legal status matters
Whether the law treats you as married makes a big difference if you separate or if one of you dies. A married person can ask the court to divide property, savings, and pensions fairly, and a spouse inherits under the law if there's no will. A partner who isn't legally married has far fewer rights, and there's no such thing as 'common law marriage' in England and Wales.
Our role
We advise on the civil law side: your legal status, your rights, and the legal steps to protect them. We don't issue religious divorces or give religious rulings. If you want both a religious and a civil divorce, we can explain how the civil process works alongside the religious one.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
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I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process.
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I used Sony Law after a recommendation from a friend, and they didn't let me down. They explained everything clearly and kept me updated throughout the process. There were no hidden charges, and they worked very hard throughout the case. I really recommend them, and the service was highly professional.
Not sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Guides on this topic
- Is a nikah-only marriage legal in the UK?What a nikah that was never legally registered means in England and Wales, your rights if you separate, how to register a civil marriage, and talaq and khula.6 min read
- How a consent order worksWhat a consent order is, what it can cover, how to apply, and what the judge checks, so your financial agreement on divorce becomes legally binding.4 min read
- The divorce process in England and Wales, step by stepHow no-fault divorce works in England and Wales: applying, the 20-week wait, the conditional order and final order, and how money and children fit in.5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Is a nikah a legal marriage in England and Wales?
Not usually on its own. In 2020, in Attorney General v Akhter and Khan, the Court of Appeal decided that a nikah held without the legal formalities for a marriage was not a valid marriage. A nikah can be legally valid if it meets those formalities, for example in a mosque registered for marriages.
What are my rights if we only had a nikah?
If there was no valid marriage, you can't make a financial claim under divorce law (the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973). You may still have a claim to a share of a home under property law, and claims for your children, including child maintenance and help with housing for them.
Does a talaq or khula end a civil marriage?
No. If you're legally married, a religious divorce doesn't end the marriage in law, so you also need a civil divorce. Divorces obtained abroad are sometimes recognised here, but the rules are complex, so get advice.
Can you give me a religious divorce?
No. We advise on the civil law of England and Wales only. We don't issue religious divorces or give religious rulings, so for those you'll need to approach a religious authority you trust.
We married abroad. Are we legally married here?
Often, yes. A marriage that was legally valid in the country where it took place is usually recognised in England and Wales, but it depends on that country's law and how the marriage was carried out.
How do we make sure our marriage is legally valid?
You can marry at a register office or another approved venue, or in a mosque registered for marriages with an authorised person or registrar present. Either way, you must first give notice at your local register office, usually at least 28 days before. If you've already had a nikah, you can still have a civil ceremony.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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Booking does not create a solicitor-client relationship until we confirm we can act for you (including a conflict check).