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Abu Dhabi’s Civil Family Court has seen a remarkable surge in marriage applications, with over 8,000 filed in the first half of 2024 alone. This influx highlights the growing appeal of the emirate’s streamlined civil marriage process, particularly among international couples.

Key Highlights:

• Daily Average: 70 applications for civil marriages
• Total Applications: 26,000 since the introduction of Abu Dhabi Law No. 14 of 2021
• Express Service: Same-day marriage ceremonies now available
• Global Appeal: Attracting couples from diverse nationalities, religions, and ethnicities

Abu Dhabi’s Innovative Judicial Services

Counselor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, emphasized the court’s commitment to developing a global model for family courts. This initiative aligns with the vision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aiming to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global competitiveness through innovative judicial services.

Key Features of Abu Dhabi Courts:

1. End-to-end electronic court services
2. Bilingual proceedings (Arabic and English)
3. Integrated services for foreigners, including:
   • Civil marriages
   • No-fault divorces
   • Joint custody arrangements
   • Inheritance cases

English-Notary Services Bureau

A recent addition to Abu Dhabi’s legal landscape is the English-Notary Services Bureau, unique in the Arab region. This service provides notary public services in English, eliminating the need for document translation.

Civil Wills and Inheritance

The first half of 2024 saw significant growth in civil will registrations:

• 2,500 civil wills registered remotely
• 200% increase compared to the previous year
• Total of 5,700 civil wills for foreigners registered in Abu Dhabi

The remote registration process allows individuals worldwide to register their wills without visiting the court in person.

No-Fault Divorces

The introduction of no-fault divorces has streamlined the process for foreigners:

• 205 no-fault divorce cases registered since January 2024
• Total of 590 divorce requests since the law’s implementation
• Divorces can be obtained from the first session without explanation
• Proceedings conducted in English by qualified foreign lawyers
• Rulings provided in both Arabic and English
• Immediate joint custody of children granted with divorce decree

Civil Inheritance Cases

The court has also seen an increase in civil inheritance cases:

• 90 cases heard in the first half of 2024
• Total of 360 inheritance cases to date

Under the new law, estates of foreigners are distributed equally among children, regardless of gender, with the spouse receiving half of the deceased’s wealth in cases without a registered will.

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi’s innovative approach to civil family law, particularly its express marriage service, is attracting global attention. The emirate’s commitment to providing efficient, multilingual legal services is positioning it as a leader in modern judicial practices, catering to an increasingly diverse international community.