The UK's Dual Framework
The United Kingdom operates under a single, unified legal system. While Sharia courts exist, they function as non-legal bodies for alternative dispute resolution and their rulings are not legally binding, remaining subordinate to UK law.
~85
Estimated Sharia Courts in the UK
100%
Primacy of UK Law in all legal matters
Inheritance: Testamentary Freedom & Sharia Wills
UK law grants individuals ‘testamentary freedom’, the right to distribute their assets as they wish in a legally valid will. This allows for the creation of wills that are compliant with Sharia inheritance principles. The key distinction is that the UK legal system is enforcing the individual’s will, not Sharia law itself. In 2014, The Law Society issued guidance for solicitors on drafting such wills to meet client demand.
Sharia Inheritance Principle & The Legal Mechanism in the UK
A common principle in Sharia inheritance law is that male heirs receive double the share of female heirs of the same degree. The visuals below illustrate this 2:1 ratio for a brother and sister, and the legal process that makes it enforceable under UK law.
1. Individual's Wish
To follow Sharia inheritance rules
2. Legally Valid Will
Drafted to specify the 2:1 asset split
3. UK Law Enforces
The specific terms written in the will
Finance: Sharia-Compliant Products
The UK has actively encouraged the growth of Islamic finance. This involves financial products that comply with Sharia, such as barring interest (riba). A key moment was David Cameron's 2013 announcement for the UK to issue a sovereign sukuk (Islamic bond), which launched in 2014.
UK Sovereign Sukuk
The first issue in 2014 was a landmark moment for integrating Islamic financial instruments into the UK's economic framework.
£200M
Value of Initial Sukuk Issuance
Summary of Legal Status
The relationship between Sharia principles and UK law is one of accommodation within the existing legal framework, not a replacement of it. The primacy of English and Welsh law is absolute, but mechanisms like testamentary freedom and regulated financial products allow for practices aligned with Sharia to be legally recognised and enforced.
Sharia Courts in the UK
There are assumed to be about 85 Sharia Courts in the UK and although not legally binding, those who use them treat their "recommendations" as law.
While most don't have an online presence there are some that do:
| # | Name | Location | Contact | Website / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islamic Sharia Council | 34 Francis Road, Leyton, London E10 6PW | 020 8558 0581 | islamic-sharia.org |
| 2 | Muslim Law (Shariah) Council UK | 20–22 Creffield Road, Ealing, London W5 3RP | 020 8992 6636 | shariahcouncil.org |
| 3 | Muslim Arbitration Tribunal (MAT) | Hijaz Manor, Watling Street, Nuneaton CV11 6BE (HQ) | matribunal.com | |
| 4 | Birmingham Central Mosque — Sharia Council | 180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham B12 0XS | Via mosque switchboard | centralmosque.org.uk |
| 5 | Fiqh Council Birmingham | 1A Highfield Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 0EL | 07405 327094 | fiqhcouncilbirmingham.com |
| 6 | MCR Sharia Council (Manchester) | Manchester (by appointment) | 07305 330159 | mcrshariacouncil.co.uk |
| 7 | Shariah Chambers | UK (multiple offices; contact page) | Via contact form | shariahchambers.com |
| 8 | The Sharia Council (National Islamic Sharia Council) | UK (national / online) | 0333 242 1851 | theshariacouncil.org.uk |
| 9 | Sharee Council (Dewsbury) | Dewsbury (local office) | 01924 464122 | shareecouncil.org |
| 10 | Dewsbury Shariah Office | Dewsbury / Bradford area | 01924 566129 · WhatsApp +44 7404 237745 | dewsburysahriah.com |
| 11 | Bradford Shariah Office Ltd | Horton Grange Rd, Bradford BD7 3AQ (registered) | — | Companies House |
| 12 | Sharia Council — Bradford | Bradford (local office) | 01924 975060 | Local listing |
| 13 | Shari'ah Chambers — Bradford Shariah Office | Bradford (local listing) | 01274 710726 | Local directory |
| 14 | Misbah-ul-Quran — Islamic Shariah Council | 38 Manor Farm Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2HU | 0121 340 1716 | misbahulquran.net |
| 15 | Al-Muntada Trust — Sharia/Family Services | 7 Bridges Place, Fulham, London SW6 4HW | 020 7471 8260 | almuntadatrust.org |
| 16 | Darul Iftaa (Leicester) | 48 Baggrave Street, Leicester LE5 3QS | 0116 251 3937 | daruliftaa.com |
| 17 | East London Mosque — Sharia services | 82–92 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JQ | 020 7650 3000 | eastlondonmosque.org.uk |
| 18 | Islamic Cultural Centre / London Central Mosque | 146 Park Rd, London NW8 7RG | Via ICCUK contact | iccuk.org |
| 19 | Islamic Sharia Council for Northern Britain | Union Chambers, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JE | 0191 933 3333 | theislamicshariacouncil.org.uk |
| 20 | Islamic Sharia Council — Scotland | 311 Calder St, Glasgow G42 7NQ | 0141 260 6489 | islamicshariascotland.co.uk |
| 21 | Ummah Shariah Council Ltd (Blackburn) | Companies House — Blackburn | — | Companies House |
| 22 | National Sharia Council | UK (online) | Via Muslim Women’s Network | mwnhelpline.org.uk |
| 23 | Sharia Council UK | UK (online) | Via contact form | shariacouncil.co.uk |
| 24 | The Islamic Council (ICUK) | UK (online) | Application form / contact | theislamiccouncil.co.uk |
| 25 | London Ifta Council / Ifta UK | London (online) | ifta.uk | |
| 26 | Darul Uloom (Birmingham / London) | Small Heath, Birmingham & Chislehurst, London | Via institutions | darululoom sites |
| 27 | Islamic Centre of England (ICEL) | 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QB | 020 7604 5500 | ic-el.uk |
| 28 | Liverpool Muslim Society / Al Rahma Masjid | 29–31 Hatherley St, Liverpool L8 2TJ | 0151 709 2560 | Local listing |
| 29 | Manchester Islamic Centre & Didsbury Mosque | 271 Burton Road, Manchester M20 2WA | — | Local listing |
| 30 | Morning Dew Service | UK (online) | MWN listing | |
| 31 | Muslim Arbitration Council | Watling St / Nuneaton | 0747 932 3717 | MWN / MAT listing |
| 32 | Muslim Law Council | Heald Green / Cheadle | — | Local listing |
| 33 | Reconcile (Islamic mediation) | London (online) | Via FB contact | Reconcile FB |
| 34 | Sharia Council Midlands | Sparkbrook / Small Heath, Birmingham | Via mosque trust | Local mosques |