It is well known that Iran adheres to its school of Sharia law. This overlays a civil system that records family status. Hence there is a register that records whether someone is single, married or divorced, and although the divorce has to be religious, the fact of it is noted on the register.
Children issues and financial issues are determined according to the principles of Sharia law. Iran is not party to any international treaties in relation to these issues because of the potential conflict with sharia law in some cases.
Iran will recognise a foreign Islamic divorce. However most foreign countries will not recognise an Islamic divorce from Iran, if the parties are actually resident outside Iran. For example an Iranian couple living in the UK may need to obtain an Islamic divorce and have it recognised in Iran, or go to Iran to obtain it, and whilst that will enable their status to be changed in Iran, it will not change their status in the UK. Therefore any subsequent marriages they can contract will be seen in the eyes of UK law as bigamous.
Similarly, the UK will not recognise financial settlements arrived at in Iran, and there is no system of reciprocal enforcement of judgements.
We are specialist international divorce lawyers and family solicitors and we advise clients who are either UK-based but originate from Iran, or are living outside of the UK but have a connection with England or Wales.
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