ARTICLE
7 March 2016

Family Matters Q&A: Can I Claim Custody Of Child?

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Dr. Hassan Elhais

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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.
A settlement agreement is a legally-binding contract on both parties and any breach of the same is an offence and punishable under the law.
United Arab Emirates Family and Matrimonial
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I waived my right to custody in a settlement agreement but now I want to claim custody of my child. Can I?

A settlement agreement is a legally-binding contract on both parties and any breach of the same is an offence and punishable under the law. The custody of children is an inherent part of the settlement agreement.

But, according to Article 110 of Law No?28 of 2005, the right of custody cannot be waived, and can be claimed on the basis of the best interest of the child. Nevertheless, by accepting certain conditions in the settlement agreement makes the claim more challenging because the court is well within its right to refuse the request of the claimant.

I am 'being informed' by a judge that my spouse will 'be informed' via publication. What does that mean?

If the respondent could not be notified, the judge will adjourn the hearing to allow a publication to be made in the newspaper. A publication is an advertisement made in a UAE-based newspaper requesting that the respondent make contact with the court within a certain period. The publication can be made twice in Arabic and/or English, or in Arabic only if the respondent is an Arabic speaker. The cost of the publication must be borne by the claimant. If the respondent does not contact the court within the time period, the judge may order that a further advertisement be published in the newspaper. The charges of publication have to be borne by the claimant.

Originally published by The National.

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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