Q: I currently have two credit cards with a debt in the UAE and have left the country due to my daughter’s health. I have been in contact with the bank and tried to make the payments. I have emailed with no response. I finally received a response from the collection department after many emails. I told them I wanted to make the payment and asked how. They gave a method so I made the first payment and said I would continue to make a monthly payment. Before the next payment was due, I received another email saying they were going to open a legal case against me for not making any payments. I emailed again and sent the proof of payment. I asked if I could still make the monthly payments and I never received a reply. Then I get another email saying they presented my cheque, which bounced, and they were going to seek further legal action in the UAE and country of residence. I emailed again to sort this issue but haven’t received a reply. What are my options as I want to clear this debt?

Q: Is it true that the new rules say that paying a fine (which is 10% of the total loan) for not paying loans/credit card or bounced cheques will get someone cleared from loan/debt cases? After paying the fines, will a police clearance be issued and there is no more obligation to pay the previous loan amount now? If for example, someone owes the bank a total of AED 35000 late payments and interest, the person only pays a fine of AED 3500 and the case is cleared?

Q: Salaam Alaikum The bank bounced a cheque of AED 103,000 for my business partner and filed a criminal case. My partner has already paid "more" than the cheque amount of AED 106,585. We have full proof. Only AED 53,000 was outstanding - this is mostly interest, legal charges, late charges and fines. The rest is all paid properly. Unfortunately, this year his business had a lot of losses. As he was unable to pay the full amount, as per new Dubai laws and Police, he paid 10,000 AED fine and got the criminal case removed by the public prosecutor a few days ago. Now, the bank told him they will file a civil case. What happens now? How many weeks will it take to get a court hearing and what's his recourse?

Q: Hi, I have a credit card of 30k limit. I used it fully and paid them back almost 40k extra. I have receipts for 65000 or more. They presented the cheque in police and filed a case against me but I paid them more than their actual amount. So now what type of punishment they can give me? The cheque amount was 100k. I want to ask you, their limit was 30k but they presented the cheque with 100k. Isn't it illegal? And what is the procedure to get rid of this tension? I shall be thankful to you Best regards

Q: Hi, I had taken a personal loan from a bank (it's now under a different name) back in 2018 for AED 260,000. Then I left the country and continued to pay for a while, but then I couldn't and now in Dec 2020, they have filed a civil case. I would like to know if I hire a lawyer for my case to clear, would that help to solve the issue or should I try contacting the bank to negotiate? Not sure if the bank will negotiate to close the outstanding as I was told by a friend that banks have insurance on the debt that is lent. And if there is a civil case, they can claim insurance for the lost money rather than negotiating especially after a civil case is registered. Is that true? I want to clear my name at the earliest but I don't have that much money (now AED 293000 with interest and late fee). In a civil case, what are the proceedings if I hire a lawyer? And does it help to get the amount of payment lowered? If so, how much lower can the court order to close the case and how long would it take? Thanks.

Q: Hello Dear All, I need legal advice please here. I don't have money to pay for a private lawyer as I'm currently not working. My situation is really bad. When COVID-19 started, the company I worked for haven't paid me my salary and I have to take an evacuation flight to fly home. I took a loan from a bank of AED 2750 and through the years it has grown to a crazy amount I will never be able to settle. I offered the bank to settle  AED 2750 amount if it's a few payments monthly, but not a straight one-time payment because I have no job. But they only want a one-time payment and are not willing on negotiating with complete ignorance of my messages. I was in touch with the bank and agency messaging me from time to time to settle the liability, and they currently messaged me that the bank is placing a travel ban against me. They didn't explain what is the travel ban and which country it affects or how is it going to work. Could anyone explain, please? I'm lost and I don't know what to do.

Q: I requested the bank to restructure the outstanding loan for an extended period, with the remaining amount being AED 150,000. The bank informed me that the new term would be 48 months, but I later received an agreement for 72 months. Upon noticing the discrepancy, I declined the offer, and as a result of the dispute, the bank filed a criminal case against me. I paid the fine and resolved the issue with the court. Now, after 7 years, they have initiated a cheque execution case for AED 300,000 with a travel ban. I have an email from the bank stating that the liability is only after the case has been filed AED 150,000. The signature on the cheque is mine, the rest of the details were filled in by the bank, including the total amount of the monthly dues for 72 months. How can I proceed in this case? I intend to request an installment option for the original amount of AED 150,000, without any applicable interest discounts as mentioned on the cheque and the case value.

Q: Greetings to all, I won a criminal case, but the judgment amount is nowhere near the actual amount the defendant took. If I file a civil case, can I claim the full amount again? I have solid evidence, but in the criminal case, the expert refused to acknowledge it. Anyway, the judgment was issued for a small amount. I need advice on whether I can claim the full amount in a civil case.

Q: Hi, I have issued a blank cheque for my EMI, and now the company is using my blank cheque and putting any amount to deposit it. My total unpaid balance is AED 19000, but they mentioned AED 42,030 on the cheque and another AED 10000. They told me they will deposit it to file a case. What is my remedy on this matter? Thank you.

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