The breakdown of any relationship is distressing and emotional.  It is important that, if you have reached a stage where you are unable to resolve matters between you, you have a solicitor who understands your situation and concerns and can advise you of the implications of all of the options available to you.

If you are Asian, you will not only have to deal with the complicated legal formalities and procedures, you will have the added pressure of cultural and religious expectations weighing you down, as well as the human concerns of how your decisions will impact your family and your future. You will also be making decisions with emotional burden of those around you giving you, sometimes unwanted, advice on what you should and should not be doing.

Whilst the law in England itself remains the same irrespective of your background, in Asian cases, there are usually additional factors that need to be brought to the court's attention when asking the Court to deal with your separation.

Irpreet Kaur Kohli  a solicitor in our Family law team in London, specialises in dealing with cases with an Asian element and provides an empathetic yet assertive approach when advising her clients. Her own knowledge of Asian issues and her legal expertise in this area enable her to provide practical and relevant advice based on a real understanding of the pressures that her clients face and the consequences of any decisions they are asked to make.

Some of the issues that Irpreet has dealt with include:

  • the return of jewellery, dowry and Mahr
  • the validity of religious marriages, such as a Nikah, and of divorces, such as Talaqs and Khul'as, that have taken place in the UK or abroad
  • forced marriages
  • arranged marriages
  • the financial applications where there have been divorces overseas.

Irpreet is based at the London office, but has clients all over the UK.

View recent articles by Irpreet on Asian issues:

If you would like further information or would like to register your interest in joining the Shanghai Group, please contact Irpreet Kohli in Blake Lapthorn solicitors' Family team in London on 020 7814 5411 or by email at irpreet.kohli@bllaw.co.uk.