Islamic Law in the Courts of England and Wales

Garden Court North is pleased to announce we will be hosting the ‘Islamic Law in the Courts of England and Wales’ seminar on 6 November 2025.

Drawing on his expertise in Muslim constitutionalism and years as the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Garden Court North’s Professor Javaid Rehman will host the seminar in-person at Blackfriars’ House Auditorium in Manchester. Free tickets are available below.

The ‘Islamic Law in the Courts of England and Wales’ seminar aims to examine a number of key challenges pertaining to the applicability of Islamic law principles in English law. This would include recognition and validity of Islamic marriages, the validity of Islamic divorces, as well as Islamic adoption principles (Kafala), custody and guardianship of children and the applicability of inheritance principles.

Itinerary

3.15pm – 3.30pm: Registration

3.30pm – 3.45pm: Introductions

3.45pm – 4.15pm: Professor Javaid Rehman: ‘Introduction to Islamic Law – An Overview for Immigration and Family Law Matters’

4.15pm – 4.30pm: Q&A

4.30pm – 5.00pm: Kathryn Cronin, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers: ‘Kafala (Islamic Adoption) Cases in Family Law Context’

Kathryn has an extensive and varied immigration, asylum and family law practice. She is known for her representation of vulnerable clients, in particular asylum and human rights cases involving women and children and frequently advises in family proceedings concerning immigration, nationality and international adoptions.

5.00pm – 5.15pm: Q&A

The seminar is relevant for all family and immigration law practitioners in England and Wales, who increasingly encounter Islamic jurisprudential principles, as well as cross-jurisdictional matters arising from States using Sharia law. These matters are raised in a wide variety of circumstances and contexts including within immigration and asylum laws, family law, property and inheritance disputes. There can also be an overlap between immigration law issues with family laws e.g. immigration principles relating to spouses from polygamous marriages, adoption of children from Muslim jurisdictions (following Kafala principles); guardianship, maintenance and inheritance.

The seminar would also consider issues arising from unregistered Nikah (Muslim marriage) and the law subsequent to Her Majesty’s Attorney General v Akhter and Khan [2020] EWCA Civ 122. Other relevant issues under consideration include Islamic divorces and the nature and role of the Sharia Council in the UK.

When: 06 Nov 2025
Where: Blackfriars House Auditorium, St Marys, Parsonage, Manchester, M3 2JA
Start time: 15:15
End time: 17:15

Book online

To book your place on this seminar, please use the booking form below. If you have any queries please email Alex Blair, Communications Manager, at ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk.