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
Reflections
Legal Insight

Legal Insight

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

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