Dubai: Children will soon be allowed to choose their guardian following a divorce, according to a report published on 8th January 2023.
Mr. Ahmad Abdul Kareem, Head of the Family Reconciliation and Guidance Section in Dubai Courts and Chairman of the Custody Committee in Dubai, told the media that legislation permitting children of a certain legal age 15 years for boys and 18 years for girls to choose their guardian their mother or their father will soon be issued.
Following the issuance of Decree No. 7 of 2022 by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council, the Custody Committee, a part of the Dubai courts, was established in April 2022.
The custody committee makes decisions by a majority vote, and in the case that there is a tie, the chairman’s vote, which counts for two votes, is taken into account. The law now prohibits the court or the custody committee from letting the kids pick between their mother and father for custody.
The custody committee consists of two representatives from Dubai Courts nominated by the Director General of Dubai Courts, who will serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and two representatives of the Community Development Authority in Dubai nominated by the Director General of the Authority, one of whom is from its child protection unit, as per the report.
The Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police has appointed two representatives from Dubai Police with expertise in children’s safety, and a representative from Dubai Courts would act as the committee’s rapporteur.