Family Law

Family matters are among the most sensitive areas of legal practice — they touch on children, livelihood, and the very definition of home. Sovereign Chambers of Law has a sustained family-law practice across the Dhaka Family Court, the Court of Assistant Judge, and the High Court Division, including international and cross-border matrimonial matters.

What we handle

  • Divorce under the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961. Drafting and service of talaq notices under s.7(1); representation before the Arbitration Council; resolution of dower (mahr) and ancillary entitlements.
  • Judicial separation and dissolution. Proceedings under the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939, the Divorce Act 1869 (for Christian matters), and the Special Marriage Act 1872.
  • Child custody (hizanat) and guardianship. Suits under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890; applications for guardianship certificates; advice on statutory distinction between custody and guardianship; welfare-of-the-child test.
  • Maintenance (nafaqa). Wife maintenance under s.4–7 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961; child maintenance; arrears recovery via Family Court.
  • International and cross-border matters. Expert opinion for foreign courts on Bangladesh family law; UCCJEA-related instructions; recognition of foreign divorce decrees; relocation disputes; Arbitration Council procedure for overseas Bangladeshis.
  • Dowry (jahiz) and related claims. Dowry Prohibition Act 1980 proceedings; civil recovery of dowry-related gifts.
  • Khula, mubarat, and contested divorce. Full procedural representation — from arbitration council notice through appeal.

Our approach

Our approach is to resolve family disputes as decisively and humanely as the facts permit. We begin by clearly identifying the client's priorities — whether that is custody of children, financial security, or finality of a proceeding — and then pursue the route that reaches that outcome with the least collateral cost. Where a negotiated resolution is possible, we will press for it; where litigation is unavoidable, we conduct it to the highest technical standard.

Key statutes & framework

  • Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961
  • Family Courts Ordinance, 1985
  • Guardians and Wards Act, 1890
  • Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
  • Dowry Prohibition Act, 1980
  • Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000
  • Divorce Act, 1869 (for Christian matters)
  • Special Marriage Act, 1872

International & specialist notes

A member of our chambers has been qualified as an Expert Witness on Bangladesh Family Law before the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, Virginia, USA (2021), and has contributed to the World Bank Group's Women, Business and the Law research programme (2026). International counsel instructing on matters with a Bangladesh nexus are welcome to contact us.

Speak to us

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