س: مرحبًا، لدي عميل يدين لنا بمبلغ 125000 درهم إماراتي. تنص البنود التي اتفقنا عليها على مهلة 30 يومًا لتحصيل الشيكات، ولكنهم لم يلتزموا بها. منذ أشهر عدة وهم يعطوننا وعودًا زائفة بدفع المبالغ المستحقة، ولكننا لم نستلم أي من تلك المبالغ. أريد أن أعرف الرسوم القانونية ورسوم المحاكم لإرسال إنذار موجّه إليهم.

Q: We are a software company who have signed a contract with a client. The contract expired in Nov. 2015. We continued to work with the client on the project. We received 5 payments out of 7 payments that were due. Each payment was linked to a milestone in the project. Now the client claims the software solution is not up to the quality they want and they want to sue us for damages. In the contract, we have a clause that says they can sue for a maximum of 50% of the money they paid us. However, each of the 5 payments they made were linked to a milestone of the project contract and the payments that were made were approved by their managers who now claim that the software quality has an issue. Are they entitled to sue for damages? How can we best protect ourselves?

س: مرحبًا سيدتي، أنا محام من مومباي، بدولة الهند. استفادت شركة تابعة لمجموعة مقرها في إمارة أبوظبي، بدولة الإمارات من الخدمات المقدمة من شركة مسجلة في الهند (مسجلة كمشروع صغير بموجب قانون تنمية المنشآت الصغيرة والمتوسطة والمتناهية الصغر الهندي) ("العميل"). وبناءً على ذلك، طلبت الشركة العميل الهندية دفع فواتير الخدمات المقدمة. ومع ذلك، تخلفت الشركة التابعة للمجموعة في دولة الإمارات عن دفع قيمة الفواتير. تريد الشركة العميل الهندية رفع قضية في إمارة أبو ظبي، بدولة الإمارات لاسترداد الأموال بموجب الفواتير الصادرة. هل لي أن أطلب المشورة حول كيف يمكن للشركة العميل الهندية متابعة الإجراءات بموجب القانون الإماراتي؟ أيضًا، هل هناك أي محكمة مختصة بالمؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في دولة الإمارات للفصل في مثل هذه النزاعات وما إذا كان بإمكان الشركة العميل الهندية المسجلة متابعة الإجراءات بأي شكل من الأشكال من خلال هذه المحكمة المختصة؟

س: لديّ عميل خارج العين، أنجزنا مشروعًا له. لقد تخلفوا عن الدفع وقاموا بصرف شيكات الضمان الخاصة بنا على الرغم من إتمامنا العمل بشكلٍ جيد. ما هي الخيارات المتاحة أمامي لاسترداد المدفوعات المستحقة لنا؟

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, How can we get a company to pay us for the services provided? We are a medical center in Abu Dhabi that provided round-the-clock PCR services to the staff of a Marine company in Abu Dhabi between July and November 2022. The credit period for payment has expired more than 4 months ago, and the company has not provided any updates regarding our outstanding payment of over 100,000 AED.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What procedures should an LLC follow to file for an outstanding payment? What steps should an LLC take when filing? In the case of a legal notice for outstanding payment, which sections of the law should be mentioned?

Q: Hi, I am working for an Architectural and Engineering Consultancy in the UAE. We carried out design services for a Real Estate Developer around 13 years ago and there are still payments that have not been settled to date. I would like to enquire about the following: 1) Is it still possible to file a legal case against the Real Estate Developer according to Article (473) of the UAE Federal Law 1985, stipulating a time limitation of 15 years? 2) Does Article (475) of the UAE Federal Law 1985 apply to Architectural and Engineering firms? I understand it applies only to individuals since the time limitation under this Article is 5 years only which contradicts Article (473). 3) What is the time limitation for Architectural and Engineering firms to raise a legal case/claim against a Real Estate Developer for works completed but not paid? Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I worked as a graphic designer for a crypto project, and the company is registered in Dubai. Last July and August, I sent my work at the end of each month as usual. The person responsible for the company owns an Emirati residency permit but currently lives in Austria. When I made the deal, he instructed me to wait for the payment and provided various excuses to avoid paying me the total amount of $4400. Since then, every month, I have been sending messages to the team requesting my payment, but I only receive excuses. Last month, I sent him a message, and he disrespected me as a woman. He informed me that the project is dead, and he won't pay. However, the company is still active and registered in Dubai. I have all the proofs, including chats and screenshots. I feel scammed, and this situation is negatively impacting my mental health as it is unfair. My question is, can I report him to ensure he pays me? Is there anything I can do? No official contract was signed from their side; I only have WhatsApp and Telegram conversations.

An interview-format article covering the topic of getting paid for small businesses in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of how to increase chances of getting your invoices paid in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of payment orders in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

تبرز الحاجة عند وجود تعاملات بين الشركات التجارية والأفراد لإيجاد طريقة ناجعة وسريعة لتحصيل الحقوق للدائنين، ومنها أوامر الأداء. الأصل حق الدائن في الالتجاء إلى المحكمة للمطالبة بحقه قبل خصمه، و الاستثناء الالتجاء إلى طريق استصدار أمر الأداء. وقد أجاز المشرع الإماراتي لكل من لدية سند دين مستحق الأداء ومعلوم المقدار وغير معلق على شرط أن يسلك طريق أمر الأداء لإقتضاء حقه.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

The law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.