Family court will increase support

Changes to provide mediation for family disputes will be good for everyone.

The more complex life gets in the UAE, the more likely it is that disagreements will arise. This fact has been reflected by a court system that has witnessed increasing rates of family dispute cases in the past few years.

The latest Annual Report of the Dubai Courts revealed that there were 4,639 family dispute cases registered by the Family Guidance and Reconciliation Section during 2013, a rise of more than 10 per cent compared to 2012. The department dealt with 63 per cent of the cases and referred the remaining cases to the Sharia Court.

The number is likely to increase further as society changes and the population continues to grow, and that fact will require more specialised courts to deal efficiently with cases.

As The National reported yesterday, along with the release of the 2013 Annual Report of the Dubai Courts and Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, it was announced that a new family court would open in Al Gharhoud to deal with domestic violence, divorces, custody disputes and juvenile crimes.

The new court will be a positive step towards easing what is usually a lengthy and costly legal process, and one that has previously prevented many people from seeking official help. It will undoubtedly encourage more families to come forward to seek mediation or legal settlement to their problems and ensure that everyone’s rights are protected. The court will also help to address many juvenile issues regarding delinquent children, those who are “status offenders”, and abused, abandoned or neglected children.

Perhaps there should also be a specialised advisory and support system for children involved in marital disputes to ensure the protection of children, the most vulnerable group in society.

By securing the court’s access to important documents and information from the police and local authorities, child protection issues can be highlighted and additional checks can be recommended, such as psychological assessments or tests for substance misuse in parents to ensure that the court have a complete picture of their cases.

In short, the new family court in Al Gharhoud will plug some previous gaps in the system.