Promoting the culture of tolerance and alternative dispute resolution has helped the divorce rate at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) come down drastically from 9 percent in 2021 to just 3 percent last year.
The decrease in divorce rates is the result of the successful implementation of various outreach programmes and initiatives implemented by the department, including the ‘Reconciliation is Better’ (Al Solh Khair) initiative. The number of cases that resulted in a divorce stood at 12 percent in 2018 and 13 percent in 2020, before dropping to nine percent in 2021, and continue the downward trend in 2022.
This is another feather in the cap of ADJD as it encourages amicable settlement of disputes and ensures the preservation of family cohesion and stability.
Abu Dhabi’s family initiative
The ADJD said the decrease is a result of the efforts made by its Alternative Dispute Resolution Division to improve performance and develop working methods in line with the social, economic and technical development taking place in Abu Dhabi. This has had a positive effect in the success of these solutions and has made possible better options for resolving disputes outside the traditional court settings.
Abu Dhabi has also encouraged couples to use certified family counsellors, who have convinced parties to opt for amicable solutions in resolving their disputes.
As part of ‘Reconciliation is Better’ initiative, intensive guidance sessions are conducted by counsellors, along with organising training workshops, which are supported by multimedia products and interactive exercises to help assimilate skills for coping with conflicts. It also provides a follow-up plan to ensure compliance with the reconciliation agreement.
The ADJD handled more than 99.2 percent of the 15,606 family disputes that were submitted to its consideration during the year, and succeeded in resolving 63 percent of the disputes.
Follow us on
