CAIRO – 29 April 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Justice, Mahmoud Helmy El-Sherif, stated that the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, approved the draft Family Law on Monday. This approval follows directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to expedite the referral of draft family legislation to Parliament.
During his remarks, the Minister of Justice highlighted key features of the law, emphasizing that its primary objectives are to simplify procedures, reduce family disputes, and replace conflict with amicable, agreed-upon solutions.
El-Sherif explained that the draft law introduces an addendum to the marriage contract for outlining agreements regarding the marital residence and financial matters. This addendum carries the force of an enforceable instrument, allowing parties to apply directly to the court's enforcement department to have it endorsed with an execution formula.
The law also regulates insurance policy provisions for those about to marry and prioritizes family stability by requiring that spouses be informed of the risks of divorce or khula while encouraging reconciliation.
Counselor Mahmoud El-Sherif added that the draft law introduces an electronic viewing and visitation system to address situations where in-person visits are impossible, ensuring the child receives care from both parents.
Child protection extends beyond substantive law into litigation procedures, making the child's best interests the guiding principle for the court in all rulings, including decisions regarding hearing locations and the testimony of minors.
To ease the burden on litigants and reduce financial strain, the draft law requires plaintiffs in alimony and expense cases to include all requests in a single statement of claim. Previously, it was common practice to file multiple lawsuits across different courts, which proved cumbersome for both the state and families. The law now stipulates that a single case will be heard in a single court to save time.
The draft law mandates the continued exemption of alimony and related expenses from all court fees throughout every stage of litigation. Furthermore, the Family Affairs Prosecution Office will now take necessary steps to determine a defendant's actual income immediately upon the filing of alimony claims. The draft law also establishes a Judgments Enforcement Department at each primary court, dedicated solely to executing family court decisions to expedite the process.
Addressing the rights of persons with disabilities, the law includes sign language within the legal concept of offer and acceptance for marriage and divorce contracts, aligning with Article 81 of the Constitution.
Additionally, the law introduces information technology for judicial announcements and the electronic submission of guardianship applications. It mandates a technical link between family courts, prosecution offices, the Family Support Fund, and other relevant entities through a digital system designed to facilitate the tracking and monitoring of court orders.
Minister El-Sherif concluded by stating that the law is a true reflection of established judicial precedents and current realities, with its essence derived from Islamic Sharia.
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