The UAE has introduced five new regulations to modernise and unify its family justice system, following an announcement by the Federal Judicial Council on the implementation of the Federal Personal Status Law issued under Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024.
The move represents a significant overhaul of personal status procedures at the federal court level, expanding digital services, strengthening child protection and supporting more efficient resolution of family disputes.
The Federal Judicial Council said the new regulations govern key pillars of the family justice system, including the roles of arbitrators, family guidance processes, visitation rights for children in custody, affidavits and authentications, and the work of Sharia marriage officers.
UAE personal status law
The reforms aim to simplify procedures, expand access to digital services and advance the systems used for marriage, visitation and Sharia authentication, with a focus on enhanced child safeguarding and more amicable settlement of disputes.
Among the regulations:
- Resolution No. (66) of 2025 on the Regulation of Work of Arbitrators, which sets out the conditions for their selection and the mechanisms governing their role in resolving marital disputes and submitting reports to the court
- Resolution No. (67) of 2025 on the Family Guidance Regulation, which grants family counsellors a broader remit in promoting amicable dispute resolution and gives their agreements the force of an executive deed
- Resolution No. (68) of 2025 on Visitation Regulation provides a clear legal framework for visitation rules while prioritising a child’s psychological and social well-being
- Resolution No. (69) of 2025 concerning Affidavits and Authentications promotes greater reliance on electronic authentication and seeks to ensure high levels of reliability and easy access to data
- Resolution No. (70) of 2025 on the Regulation of Sharia Marriage Officers, which outlines licensing conditions and controls for concluding marriage contracts electronically using digital signatures, and permits the remote completion of contracts
Family justice
Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Federal Judiciary Council and Minister of Justice, stressed that the initiative represents a major step in establishing a progressive family justice system tailored to the needs of Emirati society.
He said it also aligns with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who designated 2026 as “The Year of the Family” to advance the national agenda focused on strengthening family bonds and promoting its values and developmental role.
The Federal Judiciary said the new regulations reflect its commitment to improving personal status procedures, elevating judicial services and driving digital transformation within the courts.
The reforms align with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision to build a more cohesive society and support the 16th Sustainable Development Goal on justice and strong institutions.
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