Foreign Attorneys to Directly Represent Clients in Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court

The door is now open for foreign attorneys to directly represent their clients in the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court.

Decision No. 21 of 2024 establishes a registration system for foreign lawyers to practice before this court. To register, foreign lawyers must meet specific conditions:

• Fluency in English
• 15 years of experience as an attorney or legal consultant
• Practice through a duly registered law firm in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, the first English-speaking family court in the region, applies a non-religious civil law for foreigners and tourists under Civil Marriage Law No. 14 of 2021.