A British court has recognised sharia law for the first time in a landmark decision as a judge ruled that a wife can claim her husband's assets in the split.

The decision came about after Nasreen Akhter wanted a divorce from her husband Mohammed Shabaz Khan. The couple were wed in an Islamic faith marriage in 1998.

Mr Khan wanted to block Mrs Akhter's divorce on the basis that they are 'not legally married' under English law and says they are married 'under Sharia law only'.

The High Court ruling on Wednesday said their union should be recognised because their vows had similar expectations of a British marriage contract.

Mr Justice Williams said the marriage was considered to be void under section 11 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 due to it having been 'entered into in disregard of certain requirements as to the formation of marriage.' This meant that Mrs Akhter was 'entitled to a decree of nullity'.

Previously, Nikah marriages had been deemed legally non-existent, meaning that any party wishing to terminate the marriage had no legal recourse for any division of assets.

The implications of the judgment are that women married in an Islamic faith ceremony will have an easier time securing a divorce in the UK, paving the way for them to claim half their husband's assets.

A British court has recognised sharia law for the first time in a landmark decision. The ruling came about after Nasreen Akhter (pictured) wanted a divorce from her husband Mohammed Shabaz Khan. They were wed in an Islamic faith marriage in 1998

The judge had heard that the couple, who have a Pakistani background, had taken part in a 'nikah' ceremony at a restaurant in Southall, west London, nearly 20 years ago and lived in Pinner, Middlesex.

The judge heard evidence from Mrs Akhter, a solicitor and Mr Khan, who was involved in a property business and worked in Dubai.

Mrs Akhter said the nikah ceremony was conducted by an Imam before about 150 guests.

She said Mr Khan had become her 'husband' and he had considered her his 'wife'.

'From my limited understanding of Islam at the time it did comply with all the requirements,' she said.

'I saw him as my husband. There was no question in my mind at all.'

She added: 'He always introduced me as his wife'.

The High Court ruling on Wednesday said their union should be recognised because their vows had similar expectations of a British marriage contract. Pictured: Mohammed Shabaz Khan

Barrister Paula Rhone-Adrien, who led Mr Khan's legal team, said issues being considered went to the heart of the understanding of the law of marriage and divorce in British society.

She said the judge's ruling was likely to be 'considered in full' by Muslims.

Prime Minister Theresa May had asked for a review when she was Home Secretary. She wanted to explore whether Sharia law was being applied in a way that was incompatible with domestic legislation.

A panel of experts, which included an academic and lawyers, said Muslim couples should be required to undergo civil marriages in addition to Muslim ceremonies to bring Islamic marriage legally into line with Christian and Jewish marriage.