In Al Saleh v Nakeeb [2021] EWHC 3186 (Fam), the High Court dismissed a husband’s appeal against a declaration that the parties were legally married when the wife issued a divorce petition in England. The declaration was upheld because the talaq pronounced by the husband in England was incapable of recognition under section 44 of the Family Law Act 1986 despite being recognised under Syrian law. The declaration therefore created a limping marriage.