ARTICLE
19 February 2016

UAE Family Matters Q&A: Can I Call Parents Or Children As Witnesses In A Family Case?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

Contributor

Dr. Hassan Elhais, a long-standing member of the prestigious Amal Alrashedi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, is a renowned legal consultant in the UAE, specializing in family law, criminal law, civil law, company incorporation, construction law, banking law, inheritance law, and arbitration. Dr. Elhais has gained wide recognition in the country, winning numerous awards and accolades. He was declared the Legal Consultant of the Year in 2026 by Leaders in Law. He was also elected as the co-chair of the ‘Relocation of Children Committee’ of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers, widely regarded as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Dr. Hassan Elhais’s continued recognition in the 2025 Chambers and Partners rankings for Family/Matrimonial services to High-Net-Worth individuals in the UAE from 2022-2025.
The court does not allow parents and the children of the respondent or the claimant to act as witnesses in a family case.
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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Can I call my parents and my children as witnesses in a family hearing?

The court does not allow parents and the children of the respondent or the claimant to act as witnesses in a family case. The reason for this is the nature of these relationships, which make their testimony likely to be under duress, partisan, or unreliable due to the emotions involved.

I am presenting my witnesses at the family court, can my lawyer train my witnesses and guide them on what to say?

It is not recommended that the witnesses seek any guidance or meeting with the representative lawyer of the party, nor to get any briefing, training or answers to any potential questions that the judge might present to them during the proceedings of the family court. This is so that the court can get a clear and impartial picture of the statement of the witness without any external pressure.

Why is my case being sent back to the Court of Appeal from the Court of Cassation?

The decision or judgment can be made in the Court of Cassation and they can decide to send the case back to the Court of First Instance or the Court of Appeal and direct them to review and reassess certain facts, complete any disparities in the case or to review the entire case. In this case, the court directive to do this shall take the Court of Cassation's directive and act accordingly. This is a procedure of the family court.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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