Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hi, I have negotiated a multiyear rental through an agency. I was expecting the fee to be 5% of the first year’s cost, but I now see the draft contract showing 5% of the total rent for 3 years. This does not seem to be standard practice based on what I’ve read. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

I seek your advice on workplace issues in Dubai. I work full-time at a consultancy. After annual leave, I faced false allegations and harassment, and was forced to leave after refusing a salary cut linked to deployment (beyond my control). I am registered as a Person with Disabilities (outside the UAE) and was twice hospitalized. While on forced leave, I also received an email (with the contractor copied) implying misconduct/theft, harming my reputation. Could you clarify my legal rights under the UAE Labour Law (Decree 33/2021), MOHRE, and Federal Court procedures regarding: - Protection from discrimination/harassment, - Salary cuts and forced leave, - Sick leave entitlements, - Defamation and reputational harm, and - Arbitrary dismissal and compensation. What remedies can MOHRE grant, and if escalated to the Federal Court, what compensation (lost wages, damages, end-of-service, moral compensation) might I reasonably claim?

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hello, My wife, who is on my dependent visa in the UAE, has received a job offer. She plans to remain on her dependent visa, and the hiring company has included additional terms in her employment contract. These terms include: - A two-year non-compete clause, preventing her from working in a competing business in the UAE after leaving the company. - A requirement to repay AED 10,000 for training costs if she resigns within one year of starting the job. - A clause stating that resigned or terminated employees will not receive any bonuses or incentives after leaving. - A disclaimer that any clause violating the UAE Labour Law (Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) will be considered invalid. Are these conditions legally enforceable under UAE law? Can I include a statement to ensure both parties are legally safe?

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

The company did not provide me with a visa after 10 months of working with them. They always promise that it is in process. Then they terminated me verbally.

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

Dear Legal Community, I am seeking advice regarding a residential tenancy contract renewal in Ras Al Khaimah. Situation: Property: Residential unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Current Annual Rent: AED 27,000. Contract Expiry: December 21st, 2025. Landlord's Proposal: Increase to AED 38,000 (approx. 41% increase). Notification Date: October 1st, 2025 (81 days before expiry). My Questions: Notice Period Validity: Is a notice of 81 days for a rent increase legally valid in Ras Al Khaimah, given the common requirement of 90 days' prior notice? Rent Increase Legality: Is a 41% rent increase permissible under RAK rental laws and the RAK Municipality Rental Index, or are there caps/guidelines? Tenant's Rights: What are my rights in this situation? Can I insist on renewing at the current rent (AED 27,000) due to the invalid notice? Dispute Resolution: What is the process for escalating this to the Ras Al Khaimah Rent?

The company did not provide me with a visa after 10 months of working with them. They always promise that it is in process. Then they terminated me verbally.

Hello, My wife, who is on my dependent visa in the UAE, has received a job offer. She plans to remain on her dependent visa, and the hiring company has included additional terms in her employment contract. These terms include: - A two-year non-compete clause, preventing her from working in a competing business in the UAE after leaving the company. - A requirement to repay AED 10,000 for training costs if she resigns within one year of starting the job. - A clause stating that resigned or terminated employees will not receive any bonuses or incentives after leaving. - A disclaimer that any clause violating the UAE Labour Law (Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) will be considered invalid. Are these conditions legally enforceable under UAE law? Can I include a statement to ensure both parties are legally safe?

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hi, I have negotiated a multiyear rental through an agency. I was expecting the fee to be 5% of the first year’s cost, but I now see the draft contract showing 5% of the total rent for 3 years. This does not seem to be standard practice based on what I’ve read. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

Dear Legal Community, I am seeking advice regarding a residential tenancy contract renewal in Ras Al Khaimah. Situation: Property: Residential unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Current Annual Rent: AED 27,000. Contract Expiry: December 21st, 2025. Landlord's Proposal: Increase to AED 38,000 (approx. 41% increase). Notification Date: October 1st, 2025 (81 days before expiry). My Questions: Notice Period Validity: Is a notice of 81 days for a rent increase legally valid in Ras Al Khaimah, given the common requirement of 90 days' prior notice? Rent Increase Legality: Is a 41% rent increase permissible under RAK rental laws and the RAK Municipality Rental Index, or are there caps/guidelines? Tenant's Rights: What are my rights in this situation? Can I insist on renewing at the current rent (AED 27,000) due to the invalid notice? Dispute Resolution: What is the process for escalating this to the Ras Al Khaimah Rent?

Can my employer cancel my labour contract and revoke my labour card without my knowledge?