Dear Lawyer I hope this message finds you well. I set up a business license in a free zone in 2023. Unfortunately, the license expired in September 2024, and due to being occupied with other matters, I was not aware of the penalties associated with the expiration. I recently attempted to cancel the license but was informed that a significant penalty has accrued. When I inquired about cancelling my visa first, I was told that it’s not possible to proceed without addressing the license issue. Could you please advise if there is any legal way to waive or reduce this penalty? I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to resolve this situation with minimal cost.

Hello, Can I go on vacation even though I have already resigned from my employer and my visa is not yet canceled?

In how many days can we file a criminal case and what is the role of the public prosecutor?

I'm trying to resign from my company and found out there's incorrect information between my employment contract, my government contract, and the employee handbook. I was under the impression of having a week's notice period but I'm being told it's 3 months and I'm losing a month's worth of salary. On top of that, it's showing a non-compete clause for the same industry. I'm trying to change companies in the same industry, how much of an issue is that?

My friend is currently in the UAE on a visit visa and has received a job offer from a company. However, the employer is asking him to pay for the visa status change from a visit/tourist visa to an employment visa since he is inside the country. According to UAE labor law, who is responsible for covering these charges—the employee or the employer?

What is the responsibility of the employee? The employment contract is set to conclude on 31st May 2025. The employee initiated discussions regarding a salary increment approximately 30 days prior, during which the management engaged in meetings with the employee but ultimately decided to maintain the current salary. The employee subsequently chose not to renew or continue the employment, this decision having been finalized in a meeting held on 20th May 2025. How does the notice period apply in this context? Specifically: 1) Would the grace period (30 days after the contract/visa ends) be considered as fulfilling the notice period requirement? 2) Is the employee entitled to request a different salary during this grace or notice period?

Hello, I have a complaint registered against me. The crime description is "breach of trust by embezzlement." Can I travel outside the UAE? I don't have any travel ban against me.

Hello, Dubai Courts have sent a circular to freeze my assets in a cheque execution case dating back to 2023. An installment plan was in place, but I missed payments. The outstanding amount is AED 26,000. How can I avoid seizure of my salary bank account? Thank you!

Hello, I had evicted the tenant by giving 1-year notice with the reason being for personal use. After 1 year, the tenant vacated the apartment. I gifted this property to my son, who is 18 years old. Can my son rent out this property?

Hello, I recently made a Google review (and gave 1 star) regarding a grooming gone wrong to my fur baby's long, beautiful coat. Everything was done badly and so wrong; it was so upsetting and disappointing. The owner reached out and gave some free vitamins to my baby boy and even offered to share my résumé with his contacts because I am currently searching for a job. After an hour, the owner called asking me to delete my review. I messaged him not to pressure me or force me into doing something I don’t want to do, and told him I didn’t expect he wanted me to delete the review in exchange for the vitamins he gave for my fur baby. I updated my review and mentioned that I appreciated the gesture. But he called again, threatening that his business partner might file a case against me. Can they really do that to me, even if I didn’t directly ask for the vitamins and I didn’t say any bad word against their company? I just made an honest review based on an upsetting and frustrating grooming service.

I purchased a tour voucher from a holiday agency in Dubai in 2023 worth AED 4239.00, but was not able to use it due to a visa problem. I have constant email and communication through phone with them, and they informed me back then that my voucher will be available and has no expiration date that I can use anytime I want. Now I wanted to use it, so I called them last Saturday, 31st May 2025, and they told me it has already expired due to the new policy. Can I still claim and ask for my money back?

I’ve been on overstay for a couple of months. Is it possible for me to get a visa with an ongoing criminal case, travel ban, and civil cases (judgments issued)? If so, what would be the process?

Hello, I had a rental dispute case with my landlord. Based on the judgment, I paid the entire rent to the landlord, which the landlord has already cashed. He is not issuing the Ejari because he wants to increase the security deposit by 10% every year, which I am not accepting. I have already given the 5% security deposit. The landlord is not accepting it. He is forcing me to sign a new agreement, otherwise he will not renew the lease agreement. Please let me know what I should do.

Hello, I have filed a case against my employer, and the session is still ongoing in the Dubai court. Can I travel outside the UAE and then come back?

Hello, I had sent a cargo from Dubai to India. I received the cargo late and with 35% damage. My TV, for which I had paid AED 1500 separately as cargo fees, was received after nearly 2 months in a completely damaged condition. The cooking range was received after nearly 6 months and had superficial damage. They are not replying to my emails but are only responding through WhatsApp. Could anyone please guide me?

I’ve been on overstay for a couple of months. Is it possible for me to get a visa with an ongoing criminal case, travel ban, and civil cases (judgments issued)? If so, what would be the process?

Hello, Is it okay to give birth in the UAE if the mother is single and the father is married? Will there be any problem with that, as long as the parents declare that they are the biological parents to obtain the child's birth certificate?

Hello, I own and run a company. We received stock from an international supplier in 2019. However, we were unable to pay due to financial circumstances. The supplier is now threatening to file a civil case in 2025. Is there a limitation period within which they can still pursue this debt?

Hello, Will a non-compete clause be included in a third-party employment contract in the oilfield? In what kinds of fields are employers required to enforce this clause? If there is a clause in the contract, what are the solutions to overcome it? If the employer demands a huge penalty to avoid any legal mess regarding this, do I need to pay the amount?

Hello, Please, I need help. I had a case where someone sent money to my account. I was selling USDT, but another person used me, scammed the person, and sent money to my account. I sent the USDT. I didn't know the person who sent the money to my account, so I gave him the USDT. Later, I was arrested for scam and using cryptocurrency without a license. The judgment came out: to pay 900 AED, 1 month imprisonment, and deportation. Please, can I appeal not to be deported?

Hello, My boss transferred a car to my name. Unknown to me, the car was not fully paid before the transfer. Eight months later, the seller called me because my boss was unreachable. The seller threatened to take me to court because my boss didn’t pay the full amount. How do I get out of this?

I have a malpractice case ongoing against me and my hospital, with an appeal pending at the Court of Cassation. A lawyer was hired by the malpractice insurance company, who is following up on the case. However, I am not satisfied with the present lawyer and want to hire a personal lawyer on my side. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

Good day, lawyers! My husband is cheating on me. He also flirts a lot with other girls on his other social media account. Then I found out that I was pregnant. We already have one daughter, and I just want a peaceful home for me and my children. Can I ask for a separate house and maintenance for us? I don't have work because I was focused on our daughter and our house. Also, what if he finds out that I am planning to get maintenance from him and he cancels our visa? Can I still get maintenance while in our country? I also learned that he is planning to send me and my children back to our country before I give birth so that he can live like a single man. I don't have money to pay for a lawyer because he's not giving me an allowance. What should I do? Thank you so much, and I hope someone can help me!

Hi, I applied for my spouse's visa and entry permit, but it was rejected due to an administrative issue. I don’t know what that means. Can anyone explain what an administrative issue is?

Hello, My son has autism and has been bullied at school. I don't know the correct legal procedure.

Hi Sir, My husband had a judgment where he was found not guilty, as the misdemeanor court stated that it doubts the charges against the accused and found no conclusive evidence except the statements in the report files. The court considered this invalid because there was no translator. After this, if the Public Prosecution appeals, will the verdict remain unchanged and be upheld if there is nothing more than this  Can you shed some light from your experience on this issue and say if the result will remain the same?

Hello, My lawyer has charged me more than the actual amount for registering my labour case. What should I do?

Hello, If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?

Hello, I paid a contractor (via bank transfers) to deliver a project (1BHK renovation – full), and they did not. What action can I take against them in Dubai?

السلام عليكم، أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك. في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة. أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات. أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع. شكراً جزيلاً.