Guide to Choosing an Islamic Divorce Service

Choosing the right Islamic divorce service is an important decision. Here are some key things to consider to help you make an informed choice:

• Affordable fees – Make sure the costs are reasonable and clearly explained.
• Discounts available – Some services offer lower fees if you already have a civil divorce, or if you're facing financial hardship.
• Type of organisation – Is it a registered charity or just a PO Box address? A physical, established presence can help with trust and accountability.
• How long it takes – Ask how long the process is expected to take from start to finish.
• Different types of divorce offered – For example, do they offer a faskh (judicial annulment) if needed?
• Safeguarding – Check if the service has strong procedures in place to protect vulnerable people.
• Training – Are the staff or panel members trained in safeguarding and domestic abuse awareness?
• Support for survivors of abuse – They should not require you to provide witnesses to prove domestic abuse, and should not pressure you into mediation if it’s unsafe or unwanted.
• Meeting options – Do they offer both online and in-person meetings to suit your needs?
• Child custody – A good service will not get involved in decisions about children. That should be handled through the appropriate legal channels.
• Transparency – Are the names and backgrounds of the people involved in the service available to the public?
• Women's involvement – Do women play a meaningful role in the service, such as being part of the decision-making panel?
• Clear processes and values – Are their procedures and ethical guidelines easy to find and understand?
• Complaints process – Is there a clear and fair way to raise concerns or make a complaint?
• Reputation – Have others you trust used the service and had a positive experience?

Taking time to check these things can help ensure you’re supported in a safe, fair, and respectful way.

Some people offer Islamic divorce services as individuals, while others do so through organisations. Both options have pros and cons.

• Individual providers
  These services may seem cheaper and quicker. But unless the person is a well-known and trusted scholar, there’s usually less accountability. It’s very important to check their credentials and identity before using their service. Unfortunately, there have been cases where individuals:
• used only a P.O. Box, Gmail address, or mobile number
• take money, issue a certificate, and then disappear
• in some serious cases, sexually harassed vulnerable women
• Organisational providers
  These may cost more, but are usually more trustworthy and accountable, especially if they are registered charities. An organisation is more likely to follow safeguarding procedures and have a clear complaints process.

Islamic divorce services can be run in different ways. Here's what to look for in each type: 1. Registered Charity
This is often the most reliable type of service. • Not-for-profit, meaning they don’t make money from your situation • Must have at least three trustees who are legally responsible for making sure the service is run properly • If something goes wrong, you can report it to the Charity Commission You can check the names of trustees on the Charity Commission or Companies House websites. 2. Community Interest Company (CIC)
A CIC is a business set up to benefit the community. • Offers some reassurance, but can be run by just one director • For stronger accountability, look for CICs with at least three directors Details of CICs and directors can be found on Companies House. 3. Private Business or Consultancy
Some divorce services are private, for-profit businesses.

• They may not always be registered
• Ask about their procedures, who is involved, and how they ensure accountability
• Check the number and identity of directors if available

4. Services based at another organisation (e.g. mosques).
Sometimes, divorce services are hosted at a mosque or other centre but run independently.

• They may have a different name and not be part of the host organisation
• This can be confusing and lead clients to wrongly assume they’re dealing with a charity or a trusted organisation
• Always ask: Who is actually running the service, and who are they accountable to?

Some law firms may help you get an Islamic divorce—especially if they are already helping you with a civil divorce.

• They may offer this as a package deal, but will usually contact an Islamic divorce service on your behalf.
• The law firm will charge extra for this for their time, on top of the Islamic divorce service’s fee. You may want to go straight to the Islamic divorce provider to save costs.
• In most cases, it’s cheaper and quicker to contact the Islamic divorce service directly, unless you need the extra support and cost isn’t a concern.

Not necessarily.
Some Islamic divorce services use the word "Chambers" in their name to sound more official or legal.

• In UK legal terms, “Chambers” usually refers to the offices of a judge or a group of barristers
• However, these Islamic divorce services are often private businesses and do not have any official legal authority So, don’t assume a service has more power or credibility just because it uses legal-sounding terms.

• If the husband initiates the divorce and just wants paperwork confirming it, the process is usually quick – around a few days to two weeks.
• If a woman initiates the divorce, it usually takes 4-6 months. This is because the service must try to contact the husband and often making several attempts.
• Timelines can vary depending on how busy the service is. Some services unnecessarily delay the process and take up to 1–2 years, which is not reasonable.
• Tip: Always ask how long the process is expected to take before you apply.

Yes, absolutely.

• You have the right to know who will be making decisions about your case.
• Transparency helps ensure the panellists are qualified, trustworthy, and accountable.
• It also builds trust and helps prevent bias.
• Choose a service that lists their panellists on their website or in their materials.
• Tip: Always ask how long the process is expected to take before you apply.

• Most services do not include women on their decision-making panels.
• But services that do include women show that female voices matter in Muslim family law.
• Women panellists can help reduce gender bias and offer important perspectives, especially on sensitive issues like sexual abuse.
• Some services may not have women on panels but do involve them in admin or support roles, which can help women feel safer sharing personal information.
• If this is important to you, look for a service that includes women in its team.

Fees usually range between £150 and £500. The cost may depend on:

• Who is applying (husband-initiated divorces can be cheaper)
• Whether a civil divorce has already taken place (some services give a discount)
• If you have already had a civil divorce, ask the service if this qualifies you for a reduced fee (you’ll need to show the civil divorce certificate).
• Your personal financial situation

• Some services offer expedited or express options for a higher fee. Be cautious.
• These might seem convenient, but make sure the process is still done properly and ethically.
• Some women, especially survivors of domestic abuse, may feel pressured into using fast-track services for quicker decisions.
• In abuse cases, the process should be handled compassionately and without delay — not as a premium service.
• Be wary of services that use urgency or trauma to pressure you.

Yes, some services offer reduced fees for:

• Women experiencing financial hardship
• Survivors of domestic abuse

But these discounts are not always advertised, so it’s important to ask the service directly.

Yes - safeguarding is essential. Islamic divorce services are often used by women who cannot get a religious divorce without help, especially when the husband refuses. Many of these women may be in vulnerable situations, such as:

• Experiencing domestic abuse
• Living in poverty
• Having insecure immigration status

That’s why it’s vital that every woman using these services feels safe, respected and supported, and that the service does no further harm.

A service that takes safeguarding seriously should:

• Have a Safeguarding Lead (a named person responsible for safety issues)
• Make sure all staff have safeguarding training, including regular refresher courses
• Include child safeguarding training, in case concerns about children arise
• Make sure staff have DBS checks (criminal record checks)

A good service should have clear safety procedures, including:

• Not pressuring women to meet or mediate with their husband — especially in cases of abuse or where a non-molestation order is in place
• Not sharing a woman’s address with her husband if there are any safety concerns
• Having professional boundaries — such as ensuring meetings happen at agreed times, in appropriate locations, and with the right people present.

Avoid any service that is known to have poor or unsafe practices.

• If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, trust your instincts and consider using a different service.
• If any harassment takes place, it should be reported to the police immediately.
• Always ask a service about their safeguarding policies before you begin the process.

This varies a lot between services. A service that understands domestic abuse is better able to:

• Recognise the signs and impact of abuse
• Speak to survivors with care and sensitivity
• Provide appropriate advice, including when and how to report abuse to the police

Before choosing a service, it’s a good idea to ask if the staff have had domestic abuse training. AVOID any service that:

• Discourages women from going to the police
• Pressures women to stay in abusive marriages

No — they shouldn’t. Unfortunately, some services have asked for witnesses, or even two male witnesses, to prove abuse. This is not appropriate or necessary. A personal statement explaining what happened should be enough. If you have other evidence — such as:

• A police crime number
• Photos of injuries
• Letters from support organisations. You can include this too, but it is not always necessary.

Before you apply, ask what kind of evidence the service will require, especially if abuse is involved.

Yes — this is a basic standard for any trustworthy service. A complaints process:

• Shows the service is accountable
• Reflects Islamic values of justice and fairness
• Helps to fix problems and improve how things are done

Choosing a service with a clear complaints process gives reassurance that if something goes wrong, you have a way to raise concerns.

No, and this is important to check. Some services only offer:

• Talaq (divorce initiated by the husband)
• Khula (divorce initiated by the wife), but only if the husband agrees, or
• Khula with financial compensation, even when there has been abuse

Some better services now offer:

• Faskh - a divorce granted due to harm or the husband’s failures in the marriage (e.g. abuse, neglect), where the wife does not have to give financial compensation

Look for a service that provides faskh, especially if the husband is unwilling to divorce or abuse has occurred.

This depends on the service.

• Some are fully online
• Others may begin online but ask for a final in-person meeting, for example, to issue a certificate

Before you apply, check:

• Whether meetings are online or in person
• How many meetings are required
• When they take place (day/time)
• Whether you will need to travel, which may involve costs, time off work, or childcare

Absolutely not. Child custody matters are handled only by state family courts. Any Islamic divorce service that:

• Tries to give legal advice on custody
• Pressures a woman to give up custody in exchange for a divorce should be avoided completely