Family Law Solicitors for Ilford

Reviewed by Sital Somaiya, Principal Solicitor, Signature Law. Last reviewed 14 October 2026.

You can speak to a Signature Law family solicitor in Gujarati, Hindi or Urdu as well as English, about divorce, money after separation, children, or a marriage that took place abroad or in a religious ceremony. We serve Ilford from Charter House, 123 South Street, Romford RM1 1NX, in person or by phone and video. First meetings are at a fixed fee. Call 01708 398 851.

Family solicitors for Ilford

Marriages abroad and religious-only ceremonies

These are the questions where the answer changes the whole case, so we settle them at the first meeting.

Married abroad. A marriage validly performed in another country is usually recognised in England and Wales, and you can divorce here if you meet the residence or domicile rules. Bring the marriage certificate; a certified translation is needed if it is not in English.

Religious ceremony only in the UK. A nikah or other religious ceremony held in England without a civil registration is often not a legally recognised marriage. If so, there is no divorce to apply for, and claims over the home are decided under property and trust law, which gives far fewer protections than divorce. Claims for children still apply in full.

A divorce already obtained abroad. Whether an overseas divorce is recognised here depends on how and where it was obtained. If it is recognised, it may still be possible to apply to the court here for a financial order under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984.

Religious divorce alongside a civil one. A civil divorce does not end a religious marriage, and the reverse is also true. We can work alongside the process you need for your faith, but the legal order is what protects your finances.

Where your case is heard

Ilford is in the London Borough of Redbridge. Children and financial applications are generally heard at the East London Family Court at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf. Before the first hearing in a children case, Cafcass checks police and Redbridge children's services records.

Children and travel abroad

Where one parent wants to take the children abroad for longer than a holiday, or there is a risk of removal without agreement, the court can make orders about travel, passports and relocation. If you fear the children may be taken abroad without your consent, contact us the same day; urgent orders are possible.

Domestic abuse

Non-molestation and occupation orders can be applied for urgently and without notice. Forced marriage protection orders are also available. Evidence of domestic abuse can open legal aid. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Starting your case

Tell us which language you would like when you book. Ilford cases are run with family law advice from our Romford office.

Questions Ilford clients ask

We only had a nikah in London. Can I get a divorce? If there was no civil registration, the law may not treat it as a marriage at all, so there may be nothing to divorce. We check this first, because it changes what you can claim.

My husband divorced me abroad. Do I have any claims here? Possibly. If the overseas divorce is recognised, you may still be able to apply for a financial order in England. Time matters, so get advice promptly.

Do you have an office in Ilford? Our office is at Charter House, 123 South Street, Romford. We also meet Ilford clients by phone and video.