International Family Law

We represent families across borders, resolving complex international disputes involving custody, relocation, marriage, and divorce with a clear understanding of both local and foreign legal systems.

Practice Overview

International family law addresses the challenges that arise when family relationships span more than one country. At Kayrouz & Associates, we support clients in cross-border matters involving marriage, divorce, custody, relocation, inheritance, and more. Our lawyers are experienced in navigating the interplay between UAE laws, international treaties, and the personal laws of expatriates and foreign nationals.

We help clients understand how different legal systems may impact their rights and responsibilities. Whether a client is seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in the UAE, resolve jurisdictional disputes, or protect their parental rights across borders, we provide tailored strategies that reflect the realities of international life and litigation.

Our team works closely with foreign counsel and authorities to manage proceedings in multiple jurisdictions. We also assist clients with securing travel permissions for children, negotiating cross-border parenting agreements, and addressing conflicts of law in property division and spousal support.

We offer legal advice on a wide spectrum of matters:

  • Cross-border divorce and custody disputes
  • Enforcement or contestation of foreign judgments in UAE courts
  • International child abduction and Hague Convention cases
  • Cross-jurisdictional marriage and inheritance issues
  • Parental relocation and international travel permission
  • Legal coordination with foreign embassies and family courts
  • Meet Our Team

    Our team is equipped to handle complex legal matters with precision and care. Learn more about our lawyers below.
    Pierre Kayrouz

    Pierre Kayrouz

    Chief Legal Officer
    Maria Valeyeva

    Maria Valeyeva

    Chief Compliance Officer
    Georges Touma

    Georges Touma

    Head Litigator
    Carlos Rahme

    Carlos Rahme

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Souhad Al Ghorayeb

    Senior Legal Consultant
    Sandy Y. Geagea

    Sandy Geagea

    Legal Consultant
    Rita Semaan

    Rita Semaan

    Legal Consultant
    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Jenifer Abu Nasr

    Paralegal
    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Muhammed Ali Charif

    Junior Legal Counsel
    Saeed Gaber

    Saeed Gaber

    Legal Research Analyst

    Priya Bavanasi

    Senior Corporate Lawyer
    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Lathamani Chandrashekar

    Senior Corporate Counsel
    Professor Mark Engelman

    Mark Engelman

    Intellectual Property Barrister
    Nashita Nazneen

    Nashita Nazneen

    Junior Corporate Counsel
    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Patricia Abi Mansour

    Business Development Manager

    Marium Razzaq

    Solicitor

    Parvathy Pavithran

    HR and Document Controller

    Göksu Öznergiz

    Associate

    Chantal Elia Khawam

    Front Desk Specialist
    Corporate Law

    Islamic Finance Under UAE Law: Sukuk, Murabaha, and Ijarah Explained

    The UAE's Islamic finance sector holds over AED 1 trillion in banking assets and is governed by a framework that changed materially in 2025. This article explains how the three dominant Islamic finance structures work under UAE law, which authorities regulate them, and where the legal risks sit after the Dubai Court of Cassation's binding rulings on interest prohibition.

    read article
    March 17, 2026
    Energy Law

    How UAE Energy Subcontracts Allocate Risk

    Subcontracting in UAE energy projects does not transfer liability away from the main contractor, but it can push significant risk down the chain through back-to-back clauses. This article explains how flow-down terms, pay-when-paid provisions, liability caps, and new 2026 Civil Code changes affect contractors and subcontractors.

    read article
    March 17, 2026
    Energy Law

    Gas and LNG Offtake in the UAE: Contract Structure, Pricing, and Disputes

    Gas supply and offtake agreements in the UAE operate within a unique legal framework where the state retains ownership of all gas reserves and ADNOC controls production, processing, and distribution. This article explains the key contractual terms, the regulatory constraints that shape commercial negotiations, and where disputes most commonly arise.

    read article
    March 17, 2026
    View all news and insights