Q: Hi, We are a technical & cleaning service provider. We worked on the facade cleaning of Hotel Apartments and submitted our invoice on the 18th of March 2018. As per our contract, we receive our payment within 15 days after the submission of the invoice. But this time we are chasing them for the 15 days period which was on April 4, 2018. Every time we ask, their finance department was replying that the signatory is not available. Yesterday, the 28th of July, we arranged a meeting with their GM and discussed everything with him. We were shocked that the GM said: "Go to the police, we will not pay you anything." I replied, "Why"? He said, "The management is not willing to pay anything to anyone". We have the contract with them, a copy of the submitted invoice, and photos of all work progress. Advise us, what should we do? Regards, S. S. H. Managing Director

Q: Respected Sir / Ma'am, I am an IT service provider. I got a project from one of the companies in Abu Dhabi to perform a System Implementation. I have completed the project and have raised the invoice for the same, but the customer is not paying the amount. It amounts to about 30000 USD. I am calling for a Steering Committee meeting as per the contract/proposal terms to resolve the issue of not paying me. The IT team, to whom I am reporting is just not letting the Steering Committee meeting to happen. I have other projects running in parallel with the same client. I have issued a "Credit Hold" and stopped all activities with proper notice and have all details on email communication. Still, they are not calling for a meeting / trying to resolve the issue... What are my options to recover the amount? If at all I have to hire a lawyer, what will be the costs for the same? Would appreciate your advice/recommendations greatly. Thanks and regards, Raj

Q: Hello Ma'am, I am an advocate from Mumbai, India. A group company based out of Abu Dhabi, UAE had availed services from a company registered in India (registered as a small enterprise under Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act) ("Client"). Accordingly, the Indian Client Company raised invoices for services rendered. However, the UAE Group Company failed to pay the invoice amounts. The Indian Client Company wants to initiate litigation in Abu Dhabi, UAE to recover money under the invoices issued. May I kindly request your advice on how can the Indian Client Company proceed under UAE law? Also, is there any special forum for Small and Medium Enterprises in the UAE to adjudicate upon such disputes and if the Indian registered Client Company may in any way proceed before this special forum?

Q: Hello, A large company was provided with our consulting services and it's completed. However, they have not paid us the balance amount for 6 months citing pending deliverables. Please advise on our best recourse.

Q: Hello, A large company was provided with our consulting services. The services are completed, however, they have not paid us the balance amount for 6 months citing pending deliverables, and also threatening us with counterclaim if we ask for payment. Please advise on our best recourse!

Q: A company has still not refunded me 60 days after the cancellation of service (A total of AED 4000 for car/vehicle services). Dubai Economic Department intervention has given no results (the company/business has been told 3 times and agreed to refund me). What are the available next steps? Proofs available: 1) Receipt with written refund promise "1 business day" 2) Whatsapp chat log 3) Dubai Economic Department case references (they will have notes and can confirm the story).

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, We are a company located in Ras Al Khaimah. We have been working with a company in Dubai that is not paying us on time. The current balance due is 142K and we have all the necessary documents (invoices, balance sheet) with their stamp. Can we file a case against them? Note: We also have two pending cheques from their company, but it looks like they will bounce.

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.

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.

The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.