Article 9 of Family Court Law

Except in personal status actions in which settlement is not permissible, urgent actions, enforcement disputes, and interim orders, the interested person may, before resorting to the Family Court, submit an application for settlement of the dispute to the competent Family Dispute Settlement Centre. However, actions for divorce and judicial divorce in which settlement is permissible shall not be admissible when initially brought before the Family Court before determination of the application that the plaintiff must submit to the competent Family Dispute Settlement Centre. The Centre shall thereafter hear the statements of both parties to the dispute and enlighten them as to its various aspects, its effects, and the consequences of persisting in it, and shall offer them advice and guidance in an attempt to settle the dispute amicably to preserve the family unit. The interested persons shall be notified to attend by any means that achieves that purpose, and they shall attend in person or through a representative under an official power of attorney. In conducting the settlement, the Centre may seek the opinion of any religious scholars or social or psychological specialists registered on a special roll prepared for that purpose at the Court of First Instance. A decision of the Minister of Justice shall establish the rules for selecting these specialists and the procedures for their registration on the roll, in coordination with the competent entities.