Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I lived in a building where the real estate management person was rude and unhelpful. I faced issues like cockroach infestation, AC problems, seepage, and more, which I have evidence of through pictures and videos. I posted a Google review mentioning his name, stating he is the worst person I've encountered in 10 years. He has filed a complaint with the Dubai police. I have since removed the Google review and apologized in front of the police. However, he insists on harassing me and threatening legal action. How should I handle this situation?

Q: Hi, We own a small pet shop business in Dubai, and a customer posted an extremely damaging Google review, advising people not to use our services. She was initially very pleased after her dog was groomed, paid for the service, and even thanked the groomer for the excellent job—all of which we have on CCTV. However, a few days later, she posted a terrible review, shouted at our staff, left a threatening voicemail, and declared online that no one should use our services. What action can we take against her as this is so damaging to a small business in a small community? Thank you in advance for any advice!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can a clinic and a doctor sue me for defamation if I mention the doctor's name in a negative review of the clinic on Google Maps? Also if they were to proceed with legal action, as they are threatening to do so if I don’t take the review down, how would that affect me as I am not a resident in Dubai and only visit once every 6 months?

Q: Dear Lawyers, A cleaning company is threatening to sue me if I don’t take down my Google review. All I did was share my experience without using any curse words, insults, or specific names. In my review, I wrote, "I saw the cleaner use the mop to clean the toilet; I’m not sure if it was the same one used on the floor. I was surprised and disgusted—that’s why I stopped using their services." The company claims it’s baseless, clearly defamatory, and intended to harm their excellent corporate reputation. They’re now intimidating me to take it down.

Q: 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.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.

The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).

The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).