Family law including personal law, marriage, divorce, wills and inheritance.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of prenuptial agreements in the UAE, with a focus on their relevance, enforceability, and legal implications for expatriates and non-Muslim residents. It explores the evolving legal framework, particularly the impact of Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022, which introduced civil personal status laws for non-Muslims, including provisions for enforceable...
This article explores the evolving legal framework around civil marriage for Muslim and Non-Muslim expatriates in the UAE, particularly under Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021. Traditionally governed by Islamic Shariah law, Muslim marriages are now seeing a shift as many young expats seek alternatives aligned with international norms and personal choice. The article...
In accordance with Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 AD and the latest amendment by Federal Decree Law No. (52) of 2023 AD regarding personal status, custody of children goes to the biological mother of the child, and the father is the guardian. The law defines custody as the daily care of the child, without...
The Department of Non-Muslim Inheritance respects the cultural and religious views of everyone in a cosmopolitan community. It follows a single-session procedure where the application to open the file and the decision accepting the execution of the will are presented together. The Dubai Courts have created the first-ever Inheritance Department for non-Muslims in an innovative...
This article seeks to show the parallels and differences between Muslim and non-Muslim wills in the UAE, and tells why all expats must register a will. Religious and cultural considerations have an impact on the legal environment around wills in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Considering the pertinent laws, rules, and legal publications, this article...
A ready reference about family courts, marriage, divorce, inheritance, and the rights of women and children in the UAE. The UAE is a country with a unique legal system that combines both civil and Islamic laws. The UAE has a well-developed and comprehensive legal framework governing family matters. The family law of the...
Introduction President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, issued Law on Personal Status for Non-Muslims in Emirate of Abu Dhabi (“Law”) to regulate and provide a flexible and advanced judicial mechanism for the determination of personal status disputes for non-Muslims. According to...
Empowering Expatriates: Abu Dhabi’s Non-Muslim Wills Registry In a significant step towards ensuring legal protection of assets and promoting a harmonious living environment for expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has been operating a dedicated non-Muslims Wills Registry. Since its inception in 2017, the initiative has witnessed a...
Disputes concerning personal affairs such as alimony, custody of children, dowry, complaints on visiting by non-custodial parents etc. will now be settled in a single session. The issuance of this rule is under the ‘Regulatory Procedures Guide on Personal Affairs’. The new regulatory guide will cut time and effort and will help the stability of...
The ‘Sharia Law’ or the UAE Personal Status Law is the legislation governing family matters in UAE. The Personal Status Court deals with family matters such as marriage, divorce, alimony, guardianship, custody and visitation, maintenance etc. Article 1 of the Law provides that the Law applies to all UAE residents – Emiratis and Expats, Muslims...
