top of page
A blog by Shabana Saleem on parenting and parting from a family mediator and barrister in the Middle East.
THE JOURNAL
Grab a tea (or espresso, or hot water—I don’t judge), and settle in.
The Journal is where I reflect on the emotional, psychological, and everyday realities of family life and conflict resolution. It’s less about legal theory and more about lived experience.
Expect:
-
Psychological tools from trauma-informed mediation, parenting science, and conflict theory
-
Reflections on culture, identity, and co-parenting abroad
-
Interviews & personal stories from families, experts, and practitioners
-
Insightful, heart-forward writing on what it means to parent, part ways, and rebuild
This is where I write not just as a lawyer or mediator—but as a human, parent, and thinker.
Stay curious. Stay kind. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Happy reading!
All Posts
When Emotions Move Families Forward
7 December 2025 I have always journalled. Long before I knew anything about neuroscience or mediation frameworks, I simply wrote because it felt necessary. As a young child, it was instinctive. It was a way to process the swirl of thoughts and emotions I couldn’t articulate out loud. I never thought of it as anything technical or therapeutic. It was just something that helped me breathe a little easier. Decades later, as I explore the research that helps me better support fam
Shabana Saleem
1 day ago3 min read
Celebrating Love at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court
5 December 2025 This Valentine’s Day, more than 140 couples are set to tie the knot at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court , marking a significant moment for modern families in the UAE. I was pleased to comment for The National on this exciting development. Civil marriage provides couples (particularly expatriates) with a clear, accessible legal framework to formalise their union, while reflecting the UAE’s commitment to supporting diverse families. For couples, choosing to ma
Shabana Saleem
3 days ago1 min read
How Tech is Transforming Family Mediation
5 December 2025 If only there were an app to settle every marital debate… In my latest article published on Al Tamimi’s Law Update: How Technology Is Transforming Family Mediation… …I did not find that magical app(!) but for anyone interested in family mediation, I explore how digital tools are reshaping the family mediation field to make it more accessible, efficient, and client‑centred. Of course, these innovations come with costs and risks that need careful navigation for
Shabana Saleem
3 days ago1 min read
Calling Lawyers: Why Don’t Your Clients Give Private Family Mediation a Try?
It was a real pleasure to connect with so many practitioners at the Bar Council Delegation Family Law in Transition – Disputes Across Borders gathering at the Capital Club in September 2025. I had the opportunity to join a panel and speak on one of my favourite topics in family law practice: family mediation. As we explored the long-standing tradition of non-court dispute resolution in the UAE, and the growing demand for private mediation in cross-border family matters, I
Shabana Saleem
Sep 214 min read
UAE Strengthens Domestic Violence Law with Stricter Penalties for Offenders
5 October 2024 The UAE has introduced Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024, enhancing protections against domestic violence. The law addresses physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, implementing stricter penalties for offenders. Penalties include up to six months in jail and fines up to Dh50,000, with harsher sentences for repeat offenders or cases involving vulnerable individuals. A key provision is the introduction of immediate protection orders, enforceable for
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
Pilot’s Custody Case Highlights Abu Dhabi’s Evolving Family Law
19 December 2024 A recent Abu Dhabi court ruling granted joint custody to a Western airline pilot, despite his frequent work-related absences. The mother had initially sought full custody, citing his travel schedule. The court highlighted the father’s emotional engagement, consistency, and active involvement in his daughter’s life, allowing her to spend one week per month with him. This decision reflects broader reforms in 2021 granting joint custody to parents of non-Muslim
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
DIFC Academy Seminar on Amendments to Trusts and Foundations Law
18 June 2024 I had the opportunity to speak alongside David Russell KC at the DIFC Academy, discussing the proposed amendments to the DIFC Trusts Law and Foundations Law. The session brought together legal practitioners, trustees, and other professionals to explore how these changes could impact governance, fiduciary duties, and the administration of foundations and trusts in the DIFC. The amendments aim to modernise the legal framework, enhance transparency, and provide grea
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
Building Better Foundations: The Dubai International Financial Centre Foundation Law Consultation, Trusts and Trustees, Oxford University Press
2023 The co-authored journal submission explores the amendments to the DIFC Foundations Law aimed at improving wealth management and succession planning in Dubai. We examine how stakeholder engagement and international best practices shape the consultation process. The piece highlights the importance of transparency, corporate governance, and flexibility for private clients. Targeted at trustees, wealth managers, and estate planners, it offers valuable insights for navigating
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
Insights from the IAFL Family Law Conference in Dubai
November 2018 In November 2018, I had the privilege of chairing a panel at the IAFL Family Law Conference in Dubai, focusing on the complexities of marriage and divorce across different legal systems. The session featured distinguished experts from various jurisdictions, including Pakistan, Bahrain, France, Lebanon, and England, who shared their perspectives on the evolving landscape of family law. Our discussions highlighted the challenges and nuances of cross-border family
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
Addressing the Legal Status of Islamic Marriages in England and Wales
Oxford Journal of Law and Religion, Volume 7, Issue 3, October 2018, Pages 376–400 31 July 2018 In this co-authored journal submission, Professor Rebecca Probert and I provide in-depth analysis on the extent and status of religious-only marriages in England and Wales given it had attracted considerable attention and generated a number of proposals for reform. The Home Office's Sharia Law Review aimed to address this issue but has been criticised for lacking substantive soluti
Shabana Saleem
Sep 91 min read
Starting With Why.
Eleven years ago, my world shifted forever. The day before I was called to the Bar, a moment I had worked so long and hard for, my late father passed away. It was the most devastating moment of my life. I still remember the silence that followed. I was on the threshold of a career I had dreamed about, but all I could feel was loss. It was profound and immeasurable. People say time heals, but they often forget that grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline. It’s not about “getting
Shabana Saleem
Sep 33 min read
Conflict is Inevitable. Court Doesn’t Have to Be.
Every family fights. That’s not failure — that’s real life. But not every fight needs a judge. I’ve sat in courtrooms where love turned into silence. Where co-parents became co-combatants. And I’ve asked myself: Is this really the best we can do? Here’s the truth: conflict isn’t the enemy. Avoiding it is. Mediation gives families a chance to talk before they tear each other apart in court. It’s not therapy. It’s not wishful thinking. It’s practical, powerful, and person
Shabana Saleem
Apr 211 min read
bottom of page