I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

Good day, I need help, please. I was involved in an accident. I was run over by a car and I was not the guilty party. Now, I have received the judgment order from the court. How do I submit it to claim my compensation from the guilty party? Thank you!

Hello, We would like to ask for clarification: if an employee was terminated due to cost-cutting, is it still possible for them to request leave? Thank you, lawyers!

Hello, How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?

Hello, The company has a policy allowing employees to work from home once per week. Now, employees are asking if overtime is applicable for those who work from home as well. Could you please clarify? Thank you!

Hi, I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband. In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house. But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India. The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025. Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there. What can I do now? Help!

Hi I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest. My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right? Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat. Please answer me. I want to know my rights. Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know. They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.

I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits. The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients. In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service. Is this legal? What are my rights?

Hello, I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year. My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID. Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases? The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority. I look forward to your response. Thanks.

Hello, I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa? I have already received a new employment visa from another employer. Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration? Please advise!

Good afternoon, A gentleman insulted me severely over the phone during a delicate moment in my life when I was pregnant. He conveyed harsh messages through chat, causing me to feel sick, panicked, and scared. Unfortunately, I lost my baby after this incident. I have reported the matter to the police and won the case, leading to the confiscation of his phone and imposition of a fine. However, I believe I deserve compensation for the mistreatment. Can I pursue damages, and if so, what amount can I claim for my loss and damage?

My company terminated my employment because it was making the position I held redundant. I was advised that in no way was this performance-related but purely a restructuring exercise.  However, within 1 month of leaving the company, they have externally recruited another person to fill my exact position, with the same job title, that they made redundant. Whilst I believe that this is unethical behavior, could anyone tell me if this is legal within the UAE or should I lodge a complaint for unfair dismissal?

مرحبًا، أثناء التقديم للإقامة في دولة الإمارات، تم تشخيصي واكتشاف إصابتي بفيروس نقص المناعة المكتسبة، ومن ثَم تم ترحيلي إلى بلدي. التزمت بجميع الأدوية والآن نسبة الحمل الڤيروسي في دمي صفر. مع العلم أنني ملتزم بأخذ العلاج. هل يمكنني إزالة الحظر الدائم الذي فُرض عليّ واستخراج ڤيزا زيارة أو إقامة من جديد؟

Hi, Is the rental valuation certificate only valid for vacant properties? My landlord says that RERA is not the standard and that the valuation certificate prevails.

السلام عليكم، أعمل في شركة منذ سنة ونصف. في البداية حصلت على عرض عمل ولكن لم تصدر إقامه لوجود حظر على الشركة. صدرت منذ 4 أشهر إقامة لي على شركة أخرى يملكها صاحب الشركة التي أعمل بها بسبب الحظر على الشركة التي أعمل بها، ولكن لم أحصل على شهادة عدم ممانعة (إعارة). الآن أريد تقديم استقالتي والانتقال إلى وظيفة جديدة. ما الإجراءات؟ وهل تُطبّق عقوبات ضدي لأنني لم أكمل 6 أشهر على الإقامة أو أي عقوبات أخرى؟

Hello, My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself. However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system. Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?

On Jan 2, 2025, one of my close friends did a privacy breach and recorded me and my van in some specific place. On Feb 5, when I called and asked him why he did this to me, he went and gave a complaint that I scolded him and threatened him. The same case was later closed by the PP when we negotiated outside the station and apologized. At this juncture, can I file a privacy breach case against him, which happened on Jan 2, 2025, and on Feb 5 I scolded him only for the privacy breach that happened on Jan 2?

I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? It was filmed with my phone camera

Hello, My partner voluntarily withdrew from our company which we established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We established this company on July 1, 2024. Until now, there is no income or revenue. What is the legality?

Hello, I'm in Canada, and I filed for divorce. My husband, who owns a real estate company in Abu Dhabi, kidnapped our children and took them to the UAE to avoid the divorce and force me back to him. My children are twin boys, 8 years old, and a 10-year-old girl. What can I do? I want to follow them and take my children back, but he says his local Emirati connections will file criminal cases against me and have me jailed if I go there. What can I do remotely? Does the UAE return kidnapped children to their mother? In the UAE, a guardian cannot legally kidnap their own child; what does this mean for my case? If I report him, what happens to my children? Will they be held until I arrive to take them?