Is reconciliation or family guidance mandatory before divorce in the UAE?

Yes — in the UAE a divorce case normally cannot go straight to a judge. The matter is first referred to the Family Guidance / reconciliation stage, where a court conciliator meets the spouses and tries to resolve the dispute amicably or, where the marriage cannot be saved, to document an agreed settlement on issues like custody and maintenance. This conciliation step is a standard, mandatory gateway in family disputes across the emirates' personal status courts. If reconciliation succeeds, the matter may be settled without a contested trial. If it fails, the conciliator issues a referral that lets you formally file the case before a judge. The aim is to reduce conflict and protect any children involved. Non-Muslim residents using the civil personal status track follow that framework's procedure, which may handle reconciliation differently. The exact format, number of sessions and any time limits are set by each court, so confirm details with your local court (for example Dubai Courts). A verified UAE legal professional on LEXAI can prepare you for the reconciliation session.