Maria Scotland was recently instructed in the newly reported case of AM v AF (Return Order: Dubai) [2026] February 2026 by a mother living and working in Dubai in her application under the inherent jurisdiction in the High Court, Family Division of England & Wales seeking the return of her two daughters back to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the children’s father (the mother’s ex-husband) retained the girls in England after their summer holiday.
The court was assisted by the jointly appointed expert on Emirati UAE law (Mr. Byron James) who lives and practices law in Dubai at Expatriate Law.
The central issue for the court was whether the children should live in England with their father or else return to live in Dubai with their mother following the parents’ separation?
The High Court concluded that the children had become habitually resident in Dubai at the date that the mother applied for their return and that Dubai had become their home country - and ordered the immediate return of the two children to Dubai, as being in the children’s best interests / welfare.
Maria Scotland practices exclusively in family law with a specialism in high-end/ big money financial remedy applications and (private law) children work.
Maria is recognised in Spears' 500 Guide (2023 & 2024): as a Top Recommended Family Law Barrister within the exclusive guide. Maria is also an author at Spears', with her recent article on Divorcing in Dubai: Should wealthy Expats worry about new UAE family laws? can be accessed here. Maria is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in family law (including divorce & financial remedy). She is one of the leading family law juniors and is the joint head of the Family Team at 5SAH.
