Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to clarify the juristic and legal basis of family arbitration in Islamic and Palestinian law, analyze the reformative role of the Sharī'ah arbitrator in resolving marital disputes, examine its effectiveness in promoting family stability in the West Bank, identify the main challenges limiting its impact, and propose a vision to strengthen its role in family reform. Methods: The study adopted the descriptive-analytical method to clarify family arbitration, its legitimacy, arbitrators' qualifications, procedures, and the binding force of their reports under Islamic jurisprudence and Palestinian law. It also used a qualitative field method through semi-structured interviews with Sharī'ah arbitrators, lawyers, and a judge in the West Bank, then analyzed the data thematically. Conclusions: The study concluded that family arbitration is a Sharī'ah-based legal reform mechanism with a practical role in containing marital disputes and supporting family stability. It found that the effectiveness of the Sharī'ah arbitrator depends on competence, impartiality, spousal cooperation, and a clear framework. The study also identified aspects still needing development, especially stronger qualification, a unified regulatory framework, and less variation in practice. It recommended legislative and institutional development and better arbitrator training to preserve the family and limit conflict escalation.