The step-by-step guide to getting a divorce in the UAE



Getting a divorce through the UAE courts generally takes between three months and a year. But it can take longer.

However, Diana Hamade, a Dubai-based Emirati lawyer for International Advocate Legal Services, says some judges are shortening this by not allowing either party to play games in a bid to stall the process.

Divorce should be filed at a court in the emirate in which you are a resident.

Courts in the UAE will grant a man divorce without a motive, but for a woman the grounds sought have to be physical or psychological harm. If no harm is found, she can ask for ‘khulu’ – needing a divorce because she is no longer in love with her husband.

If you are an expatriate, first check whether an order from the UAE courts can be enforced in your home country.

Islamic marriages by and large are governed by Sharia law, and the same is likely if the man is Muslim and the woman non-Muslim (either a Christian or a Jew, as no woman of other religions are permitted to marry a Muslim man unless they convert to Islam.)

While expatriates can divorce anywhere – with the divorce ruling recognised by the authorities here as far as residency, employment benefits and other matters are concerned – Ms Hamade says there can be problems enforcing some foreign judgments if one party fails to comply.

Whenever the law of the husband’s home country fails to cover an aspect of the divorce procedure, the courts hold discretion to apply the UAE law.

There are five stages of divorce proceedings in the UAE:

The conciliator

To start divorce proceedings in the UAE, a couple has to see a conciliator to try to iron out their differences or reach an amicable settlement.

“Conciliators are not lawyers or judges, but more like family guidance counsellors,” says Ms Hamade. “They will meet each person individually and then together, and give them some time to contemplate their situation to be sure that divorce is the right path for them.”

This process should not go beyond the three-month period stipulated by law.

You are required to submit the marriage certificate, the marriage contract (an agreement that may stipulate a dowry if the couple are Muslim), passport copies of the spouse and children, and the children’s birth certificates.

First Instance Court

The case passes to the First Instance Court once the conciliator feels no settlement will be reached.

You are free to bring a lawyer, but the court will still hear you without one. As court proceedings are in Arabic, a translator is provided for those who require one.

Once a case is filed, the other party has the opportunity to provide a defence reply and the first party is given a chance to review that defence and produce a counter-reply. This process can go on as per the discretion of the judge before he moves to a judgment. Once this is issued, there is a 28-day time period to appeal.

During this process, the court will ask for evidence of any claims that one of the parties is making, such as witnesses or documents of payments. There are also instances when cases are referred to referees – two people assigned to look into a dispute to see who is at fault. These people will give a report to the court and the judge will give his decision upon it.

Appeal Court

This follows the same process as the First Instance Court, but with three judges rather than one. Again, a 28-day period is given for parties to dispute further.

Court of Cassation

This reviews the papers to ensure the legal technical processes were followed. No new evidence can be submitted here.

Enforcement Court

This court actions the requirements stipulated in the judgment verdicts (for example, to pay school fees). If at any point during the first four stages there is agreement, they can fast forward to the last stage of proceedings in the Enforcement Court.

The costs

Lawyers’ fees are between Dh8,000 and Dh25,000 for an amicable divorce and Dh35,000 to Dh50,000 for a disputed divorce. The divorce is separate to the financial settlement, which is billed in addition.

Although the courts provide a translator for free, translated documents cost up to Dh80 per page. There are no court fees except referees when appointed, which cost Dh3,000 to Dh10,000.

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The Cairo Statement

 1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations

2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred

3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC  

4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.

5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.

6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security

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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.