Family and inheritance matters are dealt with by the Iranian personal status courts. As provided by Articles 12 and 13 of the constitution, different personal status regimes apply to people from different religions (Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) and who follow different Islamic schools of law from the dominant Shi’a Jafari school.
For Muslims, shari’a is applied to personal status matters. Many parts of personal status law are codified – in particular in the Civil Code 1935 (as amended); the 1992 Amendment of Divorce Provisions Act; and the 2013 Family Protection Act. Marriage contracts can also be the source of legal rights – in particular for women. Article 45 of the Family Protection Act mandates judicial authorities to prioritise children’s best interests in their decisions.
