UAE Family Courts and Jurisdictions
Private family-law enquiry
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Tell us briefly about your family-law matter and how we may contact you. Your details are handled under the Privacy Policy. Sending this form does not create a lawyer–client relationship.
Please do not upload passports, Emirates IDs, children’s identity documents, intimate evidence, complete financial records or original documents. If a document is needed to understand your enquiry, attach one only, and send anything further through a secure route agreed with the office.
Which court or registry handles a family matter in the UAE depends on where the family lives, the parties’ nationality and religion, and where documents or assets are held.
This section sets out the main forums that hear or register family matters in the Emirates, so you can see which one your situation is likely to involve before you take any step. Each page explains what that forum deals with, who may use it, and what it usually expects to see.
Jurisdiction is decided on the facts, and more than one forum can be relevant to the same family — for example where a marriage was registered in one place, the children live in another, and an estate is held somewhere else.
Courts and registries
UAE Federal Personal Status Courts
The federal courts that hear personal status cases in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain, and the procedure they follow. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have their own judicial departments.
Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court
A separate civil track in Abu Dhabi with its own eligibility rules, case types and procedure.
DIFC
The DIFC route for wills, probate and related guardianship arrangements for eligible non-Muslims.
ADGM
The ADGM route for non-Muslim wills, and how it relates to ADJD probate.
DIFC and ADGM are not general family courts. Their family-related role is limited to non-Muslim wills, probate and related arrangements; divorce, custody and maintenance are not heard there. Using English-language common-law procedure does not create family jurisdiction.
Nothing on these pages decides which forum applies to your matter. That depends on the facts and on the documents you hold.