Awatif Al Khouri

Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri’s practice covers family and personal status law, criminal defence, civil and commercial litigation, corporate law, property law, intellectual property, wills and estate-related disputes.

She advises on divorce, child custody, guardianship, maintenance, family settlements, wills, succession planning, inheritance disputes, shareholder matters, business restructuring, property transactions and contested litigation before the UAE courts.

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

- A member of the European Attorneys

- 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.

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.

** https://www.reuters.com/press-releases/awatif-mohammad-shoqi-strengthens-cross-border-legal-services-2026-02-20/

** https://apnews.com/press-release/marketersmedia/awatif-mohammad-shoqi-advocates-legal-consultancy-recognized-for-longstanding-legal-excellence-under-awatif-al-khouris-leadership-7ad8c281e48a16692c713ee000de0e04

** https://nyweekly.com/business/a-2026-guide-to-uae-divorce-custody-and-personal-status-law/

** https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/awatif-al-khouri-highlights-key-dubai-real-estate-laws-affecting-international-property-investors-1036035242

** https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/insight/katie-price-refuses-to-pay-for-jailed-husband-s-release/gm-GMA5B9797C?gemSnapshotKey=GMA5B9797C-snapshot-1&uxmode=ruby

** https://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/money-finance/finance/client/awatif/divorce-in-dubai-explained-2026-guide-to-uae-family-law

Emirates NBD, Shell Petrol L.T.D, Dubai Islamic Bank, HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, University of Middlesex

1. Acted for the husband in divorce proceedings involving claims for maintenance, post-divorce financial support, deferred marital payments and luxury assets valued at approximately AED 4.875 million. Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri defended claims relating to the disputed assets. The Court of Cassation upheld the appellate judgment, bringing the proceedings to a final conclusion.

2. Acted for the claimant in civil proceedings to recover AED 377,500 under a signed debt acknowledgement and guarantee. Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy secured favourable judgments at first instance and on appeal. The Court of Cassation later declared the further appeal inadmissible on procedural grounds, thereby rendering the appellate judgment final and enforceable.

3. Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri represented a client in proceedings to vary existing parenting arrangements in the child’s best interests. The client obtained a favourable custody and guardianship judgment, which was upheld on appeal. The Court of Cassation subsequently rejected the opposing party’s request to suspend enforcement of the custody and guardianship order.

4. Represented the wife in personal status proceedings involving divorce, custody, travel restrictions for minor children, an alleged AED 500,000 debt and claims concerning the family residence. Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri successfully defended the claims for divorce, sole custody, repayment and sale of the residence.

5. Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri represented a client charged in connection with alleged gambling activities at a private residence, following the recovery of AED 20,000, playing cards and bank cards from the premises. The defence challenged the characterisation of the premises and the evidential basis for the allegation. The Dubai Court of First Instance acquitted the client of the gambling-related charge.

6. Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri represented a client in criminal proceedings arising from an extortion and blackmail claim involving a demand for AED 1 million. The accused was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment followed by deportation. Mrs Awatif Al Khouri also pursued a related civil compensation claim to address the client’s financial, reputational and emotional harm.

Family Lawyer of the Year 2026

Corporate INTL

2026

Family Lawyer of the Year 2017

M&A Today

2017

United Arab Emirates. Mrs Awatif Al Khouri represents clients before all levels of the UAE courts, including the Courts of First Instance, Courts of Appeal, Court of Cassation and the Federal Supreme Court.

Mrs. Awatif Al Khouri has particular experience advising high-net-worth individuals, family businesses, entrepreneurs and international clients with UAE-based personal, commercial and asset-related interests. Her work frequently involves matters where family wealth, privately held businesses, real estate, investments and succession arrangements overlap. She regularly represents clients in sensitive and high-value disputes involving family matters, ownership issues, financial claims and asset protection before the UAE courts.