Awatif Al Khouri

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.

Professional Affiliations 

Mrs. Awatif’s professional affiliations reflect her commitment to excellence and her active engagement in the legal community. 

• A member of TaG Law Alliance, 
• Member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers
• The Lawyers Union in Dubai Court, 
• The Ministry of Justice, 
• The International Bar Association, where she is a member of the Family Law Committee, 
• The American Bar Association, where she serves as an associate member on the Family Law Committee.

Success Stories

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.

Awards & Accolades

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. 

Media Interviews 

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.

What do our clients say?

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.