Aykut Elseven

Cristina is a highly recommended and widely referenced legal professional, renowned for her expertise in family law and personal status matters. As the Principal and Founder of her law firm, she has been a trusted advocate for individuals and families for over three decades, representing clients at all judicial levels, from the Courts of First Instance to the Supreme Court.

Cristina’s legal practice in family law covers a broad range of matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, international relocation disputes, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and enforcement of family court orders. Her deep understanding of personal status law, Sharia principles, and cross-border family conflicts, combined with her fluency in Arabic, English, and French, makes her one of the region’s most referenced and sought-after family law advocates.

Professional Affiliations

Cristina’s professional affiliations reflect her commitment to excellence and her active engagement in the legal community.

A member of TaG Law Alliance,

Member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers,

The Lawyers Union in Dubai Court,

The Ministry of Justice,

The International Bar Association, where she is a member of the Family Law Committee,

The American Bar Association, where she serves as an associate member on the Family Law Committee.

Success Stories

A 47-year-old British man of Indian descent was granted a divorce by a Dubai court in accordance with the UAE Federal Personal Status Law (Federal Law No. 41 of 2022), which is based on Indian marriage law from 1955. After the court received evidence that the mother was mentally incompetent to care for their two children, aged 8 and 6, the husband was granted custody. The court ruled in his favor.

The case, which was represented by Cristina, underscored the mother’s history of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as her refusal to receive treatment. The court’s decision represents an uncommon instance of the application of a foreign law in UAE personal status cases to safeguard the welfare of minors.

Awards & Accolades

Cristina is a distinguished figure in the field of family law, acknowledged for her exceptional dedication and expertise. The Family Lawyer of the Year award was presented to her by Corporate INTL in 2026, and M&A Today had previously recognized her in 2017. Her reputation as a trusted advisor in the legal community, her profound mastery of intricate family matters, and her consistent track record of achieving successful outcomes for clients are all reflected in these accolades.

Media Interviews

Cristina is recognized as a trailblazer in law, with her extensive professional affiliations reflecting her leadership and influence in the legal community. Her expertise in handling complex matters, including securing embassy approvals and representing foreign nationals, has been highlighted by leading publications. Additionally, her firm’s notable successes, including significant criminal case outcomes and acquittals, have been featured in major publications.

What Do Our Clients Say?

Ms. Maitha Alharfi shares that Cristina and her team helped her secure a strong child support order and enforce it, ensuring she received the payments due. She highlights that Cristina was not only highly professional but also supportive, calm, and caring throughout a very challenging time, expressing her deep gratitude and appreciation for the team’s dedication and expertise.