THP THREE QUESTIONS: RUBY TUFAIL, DIVORCE & FAMILY SOLICITOR
We believe one of the keys to giving our clients a personal service tailored to their needs is getting to know who they are. So, we’ve turned the tables by asking each member of our staff three questions, so you get to know about them. Meet Ruby Tufail, a Divorce & Family Law solicitor based in our Lower Earley, Reading office.
If you could introduce one new family law, what would it be?
There are approximately 3.9 million Muslims in the UK, but if they have a Nikkah (Islamic religious matrimonial ceremony) performed here, it is not recognised under English and Welsh civil law unless they also have a civil ceremony. On the other hand, if they have their Nikkah in an Islamic country, e.g., Pakistan, the Nikkah would be recognised without having to undergoing a further civil ceremony as the parties would have married in accordance with the law of the country. This means that people who have just had a Nikkah in England and Wales are treated in law as cohabitees, not a married couple.
Changing the law to recognise a Nikkah ceremony that has taken place in England and Wales would give those couples marriage rights, which is especially important for vulnerable women who are often promised a civil ceremony following the Nikkah which never materialises.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Believe in yourself and never change just to fit in. Over time as I have matured, I have become proud of my Islamic heritage and have embraced it. That self-belief in who I am, has really given me confidence.
If you weren’t in your current job, what would you be doing?
Prior to attending University, I applied for a job as a flight attendant and passed the initial interview and progressed to the final stage but changed paths and decided to pursue a career in law. I must admit the thought of jetting around the world has a lot of appeal on a soggy English summer day when stuck in traffic on my commute!
You can find out more about Ruby here.
OUR DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW TEAM
Our divorce & family law solicitors in Henley & Reading provide sensitive and practical solutions, whether you are marriage, in a civil partnership or an unmarried couple, to help both parties to move on with minimum animosity.
On the occasions when agreement cannot be reached, we are able to guide our clients through the Court process to protect their interests. Our advice is always provided with the support, discretion and sensitivity that our clients require.
Every case we deal with is handled by a highly qualified family lawyer, some of whom are trained in collaborative law, and our family team includes members of:
- Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association)
- Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Scheme
- Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme
With this on-going commitment to the provision of professional divorce and family law advice, helping matters be resolved fairly and with the minimum of fuss, we have seen our family law expertise grow from one solicitor in 1998, to a team of family solicitors across two offices in Reading and Henley on Thames. This gives you the choice of being represented by lawyers with different areas of specialism, seniority and personality.
At THP Solicitors, we take every care to help our clients minimise conflict, protect their family and start to regain control of their lives. Central to our approach is our long and valuable experience in collaborative practice. This way of working helps everyone to focus on the overall needs of the family, and to achieve a negotiated agreement outside of the Courts where possible.
We can support and guide you through the process and find the divorce route which is best for you. This might be negotiations through solicitors, collaborative law or an application the Court.
Please contact Julia Drury on e: j.drury@thpsolicitors.co.uk or Richard Rodway on e: r.rodway@thpsolicitors.co.uk or call us on READING: 0118 975 6622 or HENLEY: 01491 570 900