Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allIs it legal for my parents to withhold my passport?




2
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Is it possible for my parents to withhold my passport from me?
Due to my strict family, as an Emirati female above the age of 21, my mother is withholding my passport from me. I have the opportunity to study for my master's abroad, and my flight is due in less than 3 weeks.
She hasn’t allowed me to renew my passport, nor is she aware of the opportunity due to my fear of the abuse I might receive. There is a history of both physical and emotional abuse in the past; however, the proof is only my memory.
I have a voice message proving that she won’t give me my passport, and I’m afraid that they will hurt me upon knowing I’m packing my bags or lock me up.
What can I do?





+1
Jul 7, 2024
340
Can my parents take legal action if I move out without their consent while under my father’s sponsorship?



0
Q: Hello,
I'm 23, female, Pakistani, under my dad's sponsorship on a residence visa for the next 2 years.
During these 2 years, I hope to leave my house, but my abusive parents would raise hell if I even brought up the topic. So my only option is to leave without them knowing.
My concern is: what legal action can they take against me if I move out without their approval?
I don’t want to do anything illegal or risk my residency.




May 16, 2025
94
Can my guardian stop me from leaving the UAE after I pass immigration?




1
Q: Hello,
I am trying to leave the country. My father is my residency sponsor and guardian. I am 19 years old and not from the UAE. Am I allowed to travel alone without my father’s consent?
I am planning to run away and seek asylum abroad because they are abusive, and I have proof of it.
My father does not know that I am traveling, but after I pass immigration, he might receive an SMS notification that I have passed immigration and exited the country.
Can he file a travel ban on me after I pass immigration? Can he stop me in any way? Since the age of majority in the UAE is 21, I am unsure if I am considered an adult.
This is an emergency, and my father could kill me.





Mar 3, 2025
141
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allCustody & Guardianship in the UAE 4
An interview-format article covering the topic of custody and guardianship in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
May 6, 2021
3304
UAE Personal Status Law 2024: Key Reforms for Muslim and Civil Families 0
In a landmark move, the UAE has enacted Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024, ushering in major reforms to personal status law for Muslim residents. These changes reflect a modernized approach to family matters, civil marriage, and women's rights, while staying rooted in Islamic principles.
May 15, 2025
203
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law 1
The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (41) of 2024 On the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, known as the "New Personal Status Law", governs the laws of personal status in the United Arab Emirates. The New Law of Personal Status repeals the previous UAE Law of Personal Status (Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 on Personal Status).
Oct 1, 2024
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Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law 0
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).
Sep 20, 2021
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I have loan and must leave the country due to an emergency. Will I face problems at the airport? 0
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What if someone borrows from loan apps and leaves before the first installment is due? 0
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What happens if a person takes a loan from applications such as instant loan apps and exits before the first installment is paid?
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How can I correct a mistaken Commercial Registration (CR) number in the enforcement request? 0
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How can I correct the Commercial Registration (CR) number that was entered by mistake in the enforcement request?
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I have loan and must leave the country due to an emergency. Will I face problems at the airport? 0
I have taken a Cashnow loan recently and have to leave the country on exit due to some emergency back in my country.
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I am willing to pay it from my home country if possible. The loan of AED 8000 is fresh & less than a month old.
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What if someone borrows from loan apps and leaves before the first installment is due? 0
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Can I pursue both criminal and civil cases for a confirmed medical error and claim full compensation? 0
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I received a final report from the Higher Medical Authority stating that a medical error happened in my case and the responsibility lies with the doctor.
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- Can I file both a criminal and a civil case (will it help or will it worsen my case)?
- Can I include the surgery charges and medical charges paid by my insurance company to the hospital in the calculation of compensation?
Sep 25, 2025
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How can I correct a mistaken Commercial Registration (CR) number in the enforcement request? 0
Hello,
How can I correct the Commercial Registration (CR) number that was entered by mistake in the enforcement request?
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Can my employer block me from joining a competitor without a non-compete clause? 0
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I don't have a non-compete clause in my contract, and I am moving to a competitor. I have given 2 months’ notice, and my current employer asked me to take 3 weeks’ garden leave until the end of my notice period.
However, today I received a letter from my current employer stating that I cannot work for a competitor for a period of 1 year, and they are also telling me not to contact any suppliers, clients, or colleagues.
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Legal advice needed on out-pass exit permit & spouse visa process 0
Subject:
Hello,
My name is M. R. F. Z., a Sri Lankan national currently in Dubai. I urgently require legal guidance regarding my immigration status and next steps. Briefly:
An out-pass was issued without my knowledge due to visa complications.
I need to exit the UAE on this out-pass and explore options to return on a visit visa, then adjust status to a spouse residence visa (by status change).
I am uncertain whether it is mandatory for me to fly back to Sri Lanka, or if I can exit to a nearby country such as Oman or another GCC country and re-enter for the spouse visa process.
Due to family circumstances, it is very difficult for me to travel to Sri Lanka at this time, so I would strongly prefer the nearest country option if legally possible.
Could you please let me know if your firm handles such cases?
If so, what is your consultation fee and availability for an initial discussion?
Sep 8, 2025
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I I left the UAE with some debts and I paid later while in the UK. How to check my status before visiting Dubai? 0
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Am I entitled to full 3 months’ pay with benefits plus EOS gratuity after sudden termination? 0
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What is the process for getting a restraining order against an abusive family member? 0
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We need a shareholders’ agreement that details shareholding percentages, voting rights, profit-sharing 0
I am joining a consortium investing in a real estate development project in the UAE.
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