Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri is a highly recommended and widely referenced legal professional in the United Arab Emirates, renowned for her expertise in family law and personal status matters. As the Principal and Founder of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, she has been a trusted advocate for individuals and families for over three decades, representing clients at all judicial levels in the UAE, from the Courts of First Instance to the Supreme Court
Mrs. Awatif’s legal practice in family law covers a broad range of matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, international relocation disputes, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and enforcement of family court orders. Her deep understanding of UAE personal status law, Sharia principles, and cross-border family conflicts and her fluency in Arabic, English & French make her one of the region’s most referenced and sought-after family law advocates.
Mrs. Awatif’s professional affiliations reflect her commitment to excellence and her active engagement in the legal community.
A 47-year-old British man of Indian descent was granted a divorce by a Dubai court in accordance with the UAE Federal Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 41 of 2022), which is based on Indian marriage law from 1955. After the court received evidence that the mother was mentally incompetent to care for their two children, aged 8 and 6, the husband was granted custody. The court ruled in his favor.
The case, which was represented by Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, underscored the mother’s history of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as her refusal to receive treatment. The court’s decision represents an uncommon instance of the application of a foreign law in UAE personal status cases to safeguard the welfare of minors.
Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri is a distinguished figure in the field of family law, acknowledged for her exceptional dedication and expertise. The Family Lawyer of the Year award was presented to her by Corporate INTL in 2026, and M&A Today had previously recognized her in 2017. Her reputation as a trusted advisor in the UAE legal community, her profound mastery of intricate family matters, and her consistent track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients are all reflected in these accolades.
Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri is recognized as a trailblazer in UAE law, with her extensive professional affiliations reflecting her leadership and influence in the legal community by The Oath. Her expertise in handling complex matters, including securing embassy approvals and representing foreign nationals, has been highlighted by Gulf Times. Additionally, the firm’s notable successes, such as significant criminal case outcomes and acquittals, have been featured in major UAE publications, including Khaleej Times and The National.
Ms. Maitha Alharfi shares that Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri and her team helped her secure a strong child support order and enforce it, ensuring she received the payments due. She highlights that Mrs. Awatif was not only highly professional but also supportive, calm, and caring throughout a very challenging time, expressing her deep gratitude and appreciation for the team’s dedication and expertise.
Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri is the founder and principal of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy and is acknowledged as an expert and highly recommended in the field of criminal law within the UAE. With over three decades of courtroom experience, she has positioned herself as a powerful litigator, frequently appreciated & referenced by a wide range of clients and recommended by fellow lawyers for her strategic insight and strong advocacy across all levels of UAE courts, including the Court of Cassation and the Federal Supreme Court.
Mrs. Awatif is recognized as a specialist in criminal law by the community. She has provided support to her clients in addressing financial crimes, including embezzlement, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering. She has also assisted with cases involving financial crimes, electronic evidence and cybercrime, drug-related offenses, extradition processes, white-collar crime, and other intricate criminal cases with cross-border elements. She is recognized for her outstanding case preparation abilities and her in-depth knowledge of the legal processes in the UAE. Furthermore, she is recognized for her tailored defense strategies, designed to address the unique needs of each client. She is well-known for her support of international clients involved in criminal investigations in the United Arab Emirates. Her proficiency in Arabic, English, and French significantly improves her capacity to provide services to international clients.
Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy is highly recommended for individuals requiring decisive and strategic representation in criminal law matters. The firm demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, meticulous case preparation, and a results-driven approach throughout the proceedings. Their professionalism, discretion, and command of UAE criminal law instilled confidence at every stage. The legal team remained proactive, responsive, and steadfast in protecting the client’s rights while pursuing the most favorable resolution within the framework of the law.
A client was effectively represented by Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri of Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy in an extortion case before the Dubai Criminal Court. Mrs. Awatif initiated legal proceedings after her client was threatened with reputational damage and blackmailed for Dh1 million subsequent to the termination of their relationship. The accused was convicted as a result of her representation, and she was subsequently sentenced to three months of imprisonment, followed by deportation.
Additionally, she pursued a civil claim for compensation on behalf of her client, thereby illustrating her organization’s dedication to safeguarding clients from emotional distress, reputational harm, and coercion.
Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy has earned international acclaim for its outstanding litigation practice and legal expertise. Its commitment to client-focused representation was recognized in 2025 when it was named Law Firm of the Year by Global Law Experts. The firm’s strong reputation in complex dispute resolution was further highlighted that same year with the Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2025 award from Corporate INTL, and it had previously received the Litigation Law Firm of the Year 2023 accolade from the Le Fonti Awards. Its excellence has also been recognized by the MEA Awards as Best Dubai Criminal Law Firm of the Year 2017 and by the Legal 100 Asia Client Choice Awards as Litigation Law Firm of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri is recognized as a trailblazer in UAE law, with her extensive professional affiliations reflecting her leadership and influence in the legal community by The Oath. Her expertise in handling complex matters, including securing embassy approvals and representing foreign nationals, has been highlighted by Gulf Times. Additionally, the firm’s notable successes, such as significant criminal case outcomes and acquittals, have been featured in major UAE publications, including Khaleej Times and The National.
Awatif Al Khouri has practiced law since 1989, founded her own firm in 2003, and has extensive experience navigating the UAE court system from the Courts of First Instance to the Supreme Court across civil, commercial, and family disputes.
Her practice primarily focuses on family law, including divorce, child custody, visitation, domestic violence protection orders, and enforcement of financial and property orders, especially in cross-border and international cases.
She was named Family Lawyer of the Year in 2017 and 2026, and has received recognition from the International Academy of Family Lawyers for her work in cross-border family law and international client representation.
She is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, approved by multiple embassies including the French, British, and American embassies in the UAE, and has experience handling cross-border legal matters involving foreign nationals and multinational organizations.
Her firm has advised and represented prominent organizations such as Shell Petroleum Ltd., Schlumberger, and Middlesex University, demonstrating their capability in handling high-stakes corporate and institutional cases.
Yes, she is a member of the Lawyers Union in the Dubai Court and the Ministry of Justice, maintaining active engagement with professional and regulatory standards in the UAE.
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