Dr. Hassan Mohsen Elhais is a highly regarded legal consultant at Awatif Mohammad Shoqi Advocates & Legal Consultancy, specializing in child custody and other family law matters. With nearly 20 years of experience in legal consultancy, he has been instrumental in assisting both local and expatriate families in resolving custody disputes while ensuring the best interests of the child are upheld under UAE law.
Dr. Hassan’s academic journey established a strong foundation for his expertise in family law. After becoming a qualified lawyer, he earned a diploma in Private Law, with a focus on Sharia law, among other areas. In addition, he holds a PhD in Civil Law and a Master’s Degree in Law from Monofiya University. He is also the first expat member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) in the UAE jurisdiction – a prestigious global association of top specialists in family law in their respective countries.
Child custody cases in the UAE involve a complex interplay of Sharia law, federal regulations, and international legal principles. Dr. Elhais offers expert guidance in navigating these legal frameworks, ensuring that parents understand their rights, obligations, and legal remedies available under UAE custody laws. His deep understanding of family law, court procedures, and dispute resolution strategies has made him a trusted legal advisor for individuals facing custody disputes.
Expertise in Child Custody Law
Dr. Elhais and his team of expert lawyers provide comprehensive legal support in child custody matters, guiding clients through the legal process and helping them achieve favorable outcomes. His legal services cover various aspects of child custody law, including:
- Legal Custody vs. Physical Custody: Under UAE law, custody is divided into custodianship (physical care) and guardianship (legal responsibility). Dr. Elhais helps parents understand the difference and their rights in each capacity.
- Mother’s and Father’s Rights in Custody Cases: Custody laws in the UAE generally favor the mother for young children, while the father retains guardianship rights. Dr. Elhais provides tailored legal advice to ensure the rights of both parents are properly represented in court.
- Custody Disputes and Court Representation: Whether clients are seeking custody, challenging a custody ruling, or requesting modifications, Dr. Elhais represents them before UAE family courts, ensuring the child’s best interests remain the priority.
- International Child Custody Disputes: With the UAE being home to a large expatriate population, cross-border custody disputes are common. Dr. Elhais offers legal support in cases involving international custody laws, Hague Convention matters, and child relocation disputes.
- Parental Relocation and Travel Restrictions: Custody arrangements often involve travel restrictions. Dr. Elhais advises parents on the legal process of obtaining court approval for international travel with children and defends against unauthorized relocation claims.
- Custody for Non-Muslim and Expatriate Families: Given the UAE’s diverse population, non-Muslim and expatriate families often face uncertainty regarding how custody laws apply to them. Dr. Elhais provides clarity and customized legal solutions based on UAE law and international legal principles.
Legal Representation and Consultation
Working at one of the top law firms in Dubai, Dr. Elhais is highly demanded by families, law firms, and international organizations for his expert legal opinions on UAE child custody laws. His services include:
- Advising on UAE custody laws, parental rights, and responsibilities
- Filing and contesting custody claims in UAE courts
- Drafting legal agreements related to custody and visitation
- Representing clients in custody-related mediation and negotiations
- Providing expert legal reports on child custody for foreign courts
International Collaboration and Foreign Court Engagements
Given the global nature of custody disputes, Dr. Elhais frequently works with foreign legal professionals on matters involving cross-border custody agreements, international abduction cases, and foreign court rulings.
His expertise includes:
- Recognition and enforcement of foreign custody rulings in the UAE
- Expert legal reports on UAE custody law for international courts
- Handling disputes involving parents from different nationalities
- Legal guidance on international travel bans and parental kidnapping cases
Some of his work in this area is highlighted below:
United Kingdom
- Legal Opinion regarding a law firm based in the United Kingdom regarding registration process of a foreign court child arrangements order in the UAE.
- A joint Expert Report issued to the Family Court at Manchester regarding child abduction from other country to the UAE.
- Legal Opinion to a law firm in the United Kingdom regarding family laws on parental abduction, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements, and executing a settlement agreement in the UAE.
- A joint Expert Report to the East London Family Court regarding recognition and enforcement of foreign child arrangements order in the UAE.
United States
- Legal Opinion for a law firm based in the United States of America regarding recognition and enforcement of a US parenting agreement in the UAE.
Asia
- Legal Opinion issued to a Singapore based law firm regarding contact/ visitation rights in the UAE Family laws.
Australia
- A joint Expert Report to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia at Sydney regarding family laws on parental abduction in the UAE, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements in the UAE, and custody rights under the UAE family laws.
Academic and Media Contributions
Dr. Elhais is a recognized as a top legal consultant in child custody law, frequently contributing to legal journals, newspapers, and international media outlets. His legal insights have been featured in The National, Khaleej Times, Reuters, and Bloomberg, and he has appeared on television and radio such as The Agenda with Georgia Tolley on Dubai Eye, Al Aan TV etc to discuss UAE family law and child custody issues. Dr. Hassan Elhais was interviewed regarding parental child abduction under UAE law. During the session, he discussed various aspects of child abduction by parents from other countries and the legal remedies available to spouses residing outside the UAE.
He has also authored multiple publications on custody rights, parental obligations, and the application of UAE law to expatriate families, providing valuable legal knowledge to individuals navigating the complexities of child custody matters in the UAE. He is also on the recommended list of legal experts for multiple foreign embassies in the UAE such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia; a reflection of his outstanding credibility in handling international family law cases and child custody matters.
Why Choose Dr. Hassan Elhais?
Dr. Hassan Mohsen Elhais and his team are top lawyers in child custody law in the UAE, providing strategic legal solutions for families facing complex custody disputes. His deep knowledge of Sharia and civil laws, combined with his commitment to protecting children’s welfare, ensures that parents receive comprehensive legal support in custody-related matters.
Whether you are seeking custody of your child, defending against a custody claim, navigating international parental disputes, or requiring expert legal opinion on UAE custody laws, we offer and help with trusted, professional, and results-driven legal guidance to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Speaking Engagements and Global Influence
As a respected legal expert, Dr. Elhais has been invited to speak at prestigious international legal conferences and forums on topics related to child abduction, and international family law issues. His notable speaking engagements include:
London
International Centre for Family Law, Policy and Practice (2016)
Conference: Culture, Dispute Resolution and the Modernized Family
Invited as a Guest Speaker to discuss the Foreign Financial Order in the UAE
Cape Town
The 21st Annual Family Law Conference (2018)
Guest Speaker: Developing Muslim Law and how South African expats are dealt with from a legal perspective in divorces and with child disputes in the UAE
Dubai
International Academy of Family Lawyers (2018)
Guest Speaker: Enforcement of Foreign order in the UAE
International Academy of Family Lawyers (2023)
Guest Speaker: Child Abduction in the UAE
Tokyo
International Academy of Family Lawyers (2018)
Annual Meeting and Asia Pacific Chapter Meeting
Panellist: Family Law, Religious Marriages
United States
International Family Law Conference (2023)
Guest Speaker: USA & Canadian Chapters Meeting
Portugal
International Family Law Conference (2024)
Guest Speaker: Family Laws in the UAE
Abu Dhabi
International Family Law Conference (2024)
Expatriate Law
Guest Speaker: Child Relocation and Abduction in the UAE
Awards and Recognitions
His outstanding contributions to child custody and family law have earned Dr. Elhais over 30 prestigious awards and accolades, including:
- Legal Consultant of the Year award by M&A for Family Law (2016)
- Legal’s Finest in Civil Law (2017)
- Best Legal Consultant of the Year by Global 100 (2018 and 2019)
- Corporate America Today Annual Award for the Best Legal Consultant (2020)
- Lexology Legal Influencer for Future of Legal Services– Asia-Pacific (2022)
- Lexology Legal Influencer for Private Client– Asia-Pacific (2022 and 2023)
- Chambers & Partners Band 1 Ranking for Family/Matrimonial Law – High-Net-Worth Individuals for three consecutive years (2022-2024)
- Corporate LiveWire Legal Consultant of the Year
- ACQ5 Global Award for Civil Law
- UK-based Mondaq Thought Leadership Award
Professional Memberships and Credentials
- Associate Member of the American Bar Association (ABA)
- Member of the The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
- Member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- Member of the International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member of the Egypt Bar Association
- Member of the International Lawyers Network (AEUROPEA)
- Member of the Union Internationale de Avocats (UIA)
- Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- Member of Law and Society Association (LSA)
- Member of the International Society of Family Law (ISFL)
- Member of Resolution (formerly Solicitors Family Law Association, SFLA)
- Member of Reunite International
- Member of World Link for Law
Contact Information:
Dr Hassan Elhais – Legal Consultant
Email: hassan@professionallawyer.me
Phone: +971 4 355 8000
Whatsapp: +971 50 3685006
Website: www.professionallawyer.me
