emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has finalized a landmark no-fault divorce involving a foreign couple, with a financial settlement exceeding AED 100 million (approximately USD 27 million). This represents the largest known divorce settlement of its kind in the GCC, underscoring Abu Dhabi's emergence as a prominent global legal hub.
Originally married in the UK, the couple opted to file for divorce in Abu Dhabi under the streamlined and progressive provisions of Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021. This law—pioneering in the Arab world—introduced civil, non-religious regulations for expatriates covering matters such as marriage, no-fault divorce, wills, and probate. The divorce was finalized in under three weeks, during a single court hearing.
A comprehensive financial agreement was reached in court with support from a leading UK family law firm, reinforcing the international legal community's growing trust in Abu Dhabi’s judicial system. The couple cited the reputation and legal advancements of Abu Dhabi’s courts as key factors in their decision to pursue proceedings there.
Notably, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court remains the only one in the Gulf to offer bilingual (English and Arabic) proceedings, led by a specialized legal team that includes British lawyers. This ensures clarity and accessibility for foreign litigants throughout the process.
This case adds to a rising trend of complex family legal disputes being handled in Abu Dhabi, particularly among high-net-worth individuals seeking fair, modern, and efficient legal solutions.
The development reflects the Emirate’s dedication to establishing a judicial framework that meets global standards for expatriate family law—on par with systems in the UK, U.S., and Scandinavia—further positioning Abu Dhabi as an attractive location for living, working, and investing.
Originally married in the UK, the couple opted to file for divorce in Abu Dhabi under the streamlined and progressive provisions of Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021. This law—pioneering in the Arab world—introduced civil, non-religious regulations for expatriates covering matters such as marriage, no-fault divorce, wills, and probate. The divorce was finalized in under three weeks, during a single court hearing.
A comprehensive financial agreement was reached in court with support from a leading UK family law firm, reinforcing the international legal community's growing trust in Abu Dhabi’s judicial system. The couple cited the reputation and legal advancements of Abu Dhabi’s courts as key factors in their decision to pursue proceedings there.
Notably, the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court remains the only one in the Gulf to offer bilingual (English and Arabic) proceedings, led by a specialized legal team that includes British lawyers. This ensures clarity and accessibility for foreign litigants throughout the process.
This case adds to a rising trend of complex family legal disputes being handled in Abu Dhabi, particularly among high-net-worth individuals seeking fair, modern, and efficient legal solutions.
The development reflects the Emirate’s dedication to establishing a judicial framework that meets global standards for expatriate family law—on par with systems in the UK, U.S., and Scandinavia—further positioning Abu Dhabi as an attractive location for living, working, and investing.