Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am involved in a drug case for possession and use of illegal substances. I was bailed out on February 17 and had a court hearing on April 17, which I did not attend. The judgment was made in absentia, with a penalty of a 5000 dirham fine. I paid the fine before the Eid holidays, and the "wanted" status was cleared. However, the public prosecution has appealed the judgment, arguing that the penalty was too lenient. I have another hearing on May 17. Should I file an appeal now or after the hearing on the 17th?

Q: I got an order of 6 months imprisonment and deportation for a judgment in absentia by the Sharjah court for selling medicine without a license. I was not involved in the case directly; my friend used my car, and he had my bank card. They made a confession that they were working for me and made a false claim that they had transferred money to me. As I am outside the country, I came to the UAE to solve my case. I got detained at the airport, and the CID asked me some questions. I mentioned they didn’t transfer me a single Dihram, so he let me go, as the case was already open for appeal. In the first instance court, they gave me the same verdict, then I appealed and attached documents like bank statements and my company details, which were not mentioned before. They gave a date for the judgment, but it was not issued, and they gave the next date. I have been suffering a lot for the last 3 months here in the UAE and for 6 months back home. So my question is that what will happen next? Will the case be open for retrial, and will the CID be convinced by my logic? Can they drop charges, or now the court decide only?

Q: I'm looking for an attorney in a civil case. My brother (citizen of European Union) was arrested on 21st of October 2018 for unauthorised border crossing on the border of the UAE and Oman. He was convicted for one month in Ras al Khaimah jail. During this period we got the information, that he has a financial case in the court of Dubai and can not forsake this country. Almost three months have passed, but he is still in jail and we can't get any more information. Could you make some more comments on what could be the possible actions in this case and advise on a lawyer who could take the case? I will be looking forward to receiving an answer.

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).

The provisions of this Federal Decree -Law No. (38) of 2022 Promulgating the Criminal Procedures Law, known as the "New Criminal Procedures Law", governs criminal procedures in the United Arab Emirates. The New Criminal Procedures Law repeals the previous UAE Criminal Procedures Law (Federal Law No. (35) of 1992 Concerning The Criminal Procedural Law).