Troubled couples in Abu Dhabi must go through counselling and intensive mentoring before they file for a divorce.
They also will participate in interactive workshops to understand the implications of their decision.
It is part of a new programme - Reconciliation is Better - introduced by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) to help married people resolve their differences.
Some are group workshops that could involve several couples, and some sessions are held for each couple individually
The initiative aims to educate disputing families on how to overcome the difficulties and obstacles they face, said Youssef Al Abri, undersecretary of ADJD.
It also puts in perspective the negative effects of a divorce on a family, especially children.
The programme is run by counsellors who assist couples with social, psychological and legal guidance, and suggest “necessary remedies and treatment plans”.
The family also has to go through interactive workshops and hypothetical scenarios to be able to solve problems they may face in the future.
Previously, when a couple filed for a divorce they had to see a family counsellor who would assist them.
“The process mainly relied on the efforts of the counsellor and his ability to reach a resolution,” said Dr Abdulhameed Al Hosni, head of alternative dispute management at ADJD.
“He would try as much as he could to reach a reconciliation rather than a divorce.”
The process took around one month. But with the new initiative, spouses will be asked to go through a series of sessions and extensive mentoring, besides the regular reconciliation meetings. “Some are group workshops that could involve several couples, and some sessions are held for each couple individually; the number of sessions varies based on the needs of each couple,” said Dr Al Hosni.
“The programme could take between two to four months.
“And most importantly, we highlight the impact of divorce on children, because usually they are the main victim.
“We explain to them in detail the legal aspects of a divorce and what to expect in terms of allowances, custody regulations and so on.”
The department will follow up and check on families for six months after they graduate from the programme.
“If they reconcile, we contact them every month to make sure they are managing their life smoothly and we aid with any emerging issues,” said Dr Al Hosni.
“In the event of a divorce, we continue to guide them by giving them parenting tips and how to communicate with each other.
“We have seen a number of cases of divorced couples getting back together.”
Nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the couples who come to the authorities for guidance are able to save their marriages.
“And with the new intensified efforts, we aim to stop more divorces from occurring,” he said.
“The sessions and workshops will be held virtually for now [due to Covid-19 precautionary measures], and when things are back to normal we will hold them at the department."
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
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Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The winners
Fiction
- ‘Amreekiya’ by Lena Mahmoud
- ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid
The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award
- ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi; translated by Ramon J Stern
- ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres
The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award
- ‘Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah
Children/Young Adult
- ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb
