After the success of our visit to the United Arab Emirates last year, we're visiting Dubai on 16 to 17 September.
Find out more about our plans for these two days and let us know you're interested in joining us using the form below.
Overseas visits and conferences are open to barristers who subscribe to the Bar Representation Fee.
Join us for two events in Dubai:
- Tuesday 16 September, a conference focused on family law that will bring together practitioners from the UK and the UAE
- Wednesday 17 September, a legal networking event aimed at connecting members of the Bar Council delegation with practitioners and leading stakeholders from the UAE legal community.
Register to attend using our form below and we'll update you with information by email.
The visit provides an exciting opportunity to address the recent introduction of family laws for expatriates and explore opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar to contribute to Dubai's evolving civil court system and alternative dispute resolution.
Attending this programme is a great opportunity to generate international work, network with other professionals, exchange views, and build knowledge and professional links.
Funding for international visits
If you are a barrister with up to 7 years of post-qualified experience (PQE), then you could be eligible to apply for part-funding to enable you to participate in international events, activities and programmes such as this visit to the UAE. Our international professional and legal development grant programme will aid your professional development, provide a global perspective on legal issues and help you to thrive in an increasingly competitive legal market.
Family law in transition – disputes across borders
Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025
Time: 10.30am to 5pm
Followed by a networking reception from 5pm to 7pm
About this event
Join us in Dubai for a full-day conference exploring the fast-changing landscape of family law.
Panels will look at:
- Financial provision and jurisdiction
- Enforcement across borders
- Child relocation and abduction
- The role of mediation and arbitration in resolving disputes
Speakers from the UAE and the Bar of England and Wales will share comparative perspectives and highlight recent legal developments. The day will also include a keynote address from the British Embassy on support for expats in the UAE, and will close with a networking reception, which will be a chance to build connections across both jurisdictions.
Who is this event for?
- Family law practitioners: lawyers and legal advisors, based in the UAE and otherwise, specialising in family law, custody, and adoption
- Family office professionals: advisers and managers who work with high-net-worth families, focusing on estate planning, wealth management, and family governance
- Academics and researchers: scholars studying family law, social policy, and related fields
- Diplomats and Government representatives: officials involved in family law policy or child welfare
- Legal professionals: those with an interest in comparative and cross-border law
- Legal marketing professionals: individuals focused on business development within law firms or legal organisations
- Masters and Doctoral students in family law
Bar Council legal networking event: family law intersected
Date: Wednesday 17 September 2025
Time: 3pm to 5.30pm
About this event
This half-day event will bring together practitioners from the UK, UAE and beyond to discuss the intersections between family and commercial law, focusing on emerging approaches to co-mediation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. The panel discussion will be followed by a networking reception, allowing participants to share perspectives and build new professional connections.
Who is this event for?
- Practitioners from all areas of law with an interest in UK/UAE connections
- Barristers, solicitors, judges and legal academics keen to broaden their knowledge and networks
- Mediators and arbitrators working across any practice area
- Legal professionals and stakeholders seeking opportunities for cross-border collaboration
Register to attend
Overseas visits and conferences are open to barristers who subscribe to the Bar Representation Fee.