UAE Introduces New Measures for Children in Custody Disputes

New national initiatives have been introduced in the UAE to protect children during family disputes, with custody arrangements designed around psychological wellbeing, safety and family stability.

The measures include a Post-Separation Family Charter to guide cooperation between parents after separation, as well as supervised visitation spaces where children can maintain relationships with both parents while receiving psychological and social support.

The initiatives were presented at a conference organised by the Ministry of Justice’s Judicial Training Institute and the General Women’s Union. Judges, legal experts, psychologists and officials took part in discussions on aligning custody practices across institutions.

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, highlighted the Child Custody Visitation Centre at the union’s headquarters, established with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The centre provides a secure setting for parent-child visits alongside psychological and social services intended to reduce the impact of family disputes on children.

Sessions also covered the role of public prosecution in protecting children from online risks, the value of early psychological intervention and the use of media and digital platforms to raise awareness of children’s rights.

The conference concluded with recommendations for closer cooperation between courts, police and community organisations, alongside improvements to custody procedures and stronger family awareness programmes.