Family and inheritance matters are dealt with by the Iranian personal status courts. As provided by Articles 12 and 13 of the constitution, distinct personal status regimes can apply to people from different religions (Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) those and who follow different Islamic schools of law as well as the default dominant Shi’a JafariContinue reading “Family Law in Iran”
Author Archives: Andrew Allen KC
Legal System of Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran operates under a unique form of government – vilayet-e faqih (the guardianship of the jurist). It could be described as a theocratic constitutional democracy. The 1979 Constitution (amended in 1989) provides for the separation of powers, within the context of the overall guardianship of the Supreme Leader; and the supervisionContinue reading “Legal System of Iran”
Legal Systems of Libya
Libya has been independent since 1951. It is not currently a fully functioning state. It has been in a state of civil war since 2011. Two governments have been competing for control of the state and parts of Libya are outside of either government’s control, with various Islamist, rebel, and tribal militias administering some citiesContinue reading “Legal Systems of Libya”
Family Law in the UAE
UAE laws are enacted on a federal and local emirate level. Family law in the UAE is on the whole dealt with in legislation made at a federal level but there are some local emirate elements. A new federal Non-Muslim Civil Personal Status Code came into force in 2023; and a new federal Muslim PersonalContinue reading “Family Law in the UAE”
Legal System of the UAE
Although Article 7 of the UAE 1971 Federal constitution states that the shari’a is the principal source of UAE law, the UAE legal system is essentially a civil law system on the Egyptian/French model comprising the ordinary civil / commercial, labour, personal status (i.e. family and inheritance) and criminal courts. Laws are enacted on aContinue reading “Legal System of the UAE”
Family Law in Morocco
The most important family law applicable to Muslims in Morocco is the 2004 Family Code (Mudawana)[1]. This Code is regarded (along with the Tunisian Code) as relatively reformist compared to other such family law systems within the region in that, for example, it set the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for men andContinue reading “Family Law in Morocco”
Legal System of Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco operates a codified civil law system on the Egyptian/French model. The most recent Constitution was adopted in 2011 (Arabic & French, Bulletin Official; English, constituteproject.org translation). Courts in Morocco are regulated by the Decree-Law of 15 July 1974 on the Organization of the Courts (as amended). Article 107 of the constitution states:Continue reading “Legal System of Morocco”
Family Law Across the Middle East
There is no common family law system that applies from Morocco to Pakistan and from Turkey to Somalia (an area which I am describing as ‘The Middle East’ in a very loose use of that term). The family law system of each state is different – although some have influenced others. Islamic shari’a plays aContinue reading “Family Law Across the Middle East”
Family Law in Iraq
UPDATED in October 2026 The most important family law in Iraq is the Personal Status Code[1], Law No. 188 of 1959[2] which applies to all Muslims – Shi’a and Sunni save where parties to a marriage have agreed to the jurisdiction of the new 2025 (Shi’a) Jaafari Personal Status Code. Family law in the KurdistanContinue reading “Family Law in Iraq”
Family Law in Egypt
UPDATE October 2026: Egypt is considering a comprehensive new family law system for those of all faiths. In general terms, Egyptian law is codified and (notwithstanding the reference to shari’ain Article 2 of the Constitution) based on the French-style civil law system. However, as is common across the Middle East, family law in Egypt is aContinue reading “Family Law in Egypt”
