9% increase in Dubai divorce rate

The number of divorces in Dubai increased by nine per cent last year, compared to 2009, according to a report by Dubai Courts.

The court ratified 798 divorces last year, 71 more than the number recorded in 2009.

However, divorce applications were only 17 per cent of the total family applications received by the court in 2010.

The court received 4,669 applications related to family issues that included disputes, divorces as well as marriage applications last year, compared to 4,402 in 2009, witnessing a six per cent rise.

Among these 3,871 were applications for marriage. The marriage applications included different nationalities as well as inter-racial marriages.

The Family Reconciling and Guidance Department succeeded in resolving 59 per cent of the family disputes submitted to it, while 41% of these cases were referred to the judiciary.

The department received 3012 case of family dispute in 2010, a 10 per cent increase from 2009.