Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hi, I would like to get your legal advice regarding my employment termination. I was on a 24-month limited contract, and I’m currently in my 10th month. The company terminated me with a 30-day notice period, but without any valid reason, prior warning, or performance issue. Could you please advise if this is considered an arbitrary dismissal under UAE Labour Law, and what compensation or claims I may be entitled to in this situation? Thank you in advance for your help!

We are forming a joint venture involving multiple investors from different Emirates and countries. The shareholders’ agreement should address capital contributions, profit-sharing, voting procedures for key strategic decisions, rights to board representation, restrictions on transferring shares to third parties, and an arbitration process in case of disputes. Can your legal office draft a bilingual agreement that is fully enforceable under UAE federal and Emirate-specific corporate laws?

Hello, My labor card will expire next month, but my ID is still valid. Can I wait for the ID to expire as well, or should I start renewing now? Thank you!

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hello, My wife, who is on my dependent visa in the UAE, has received a job offer. She plans to remain on her dependent visa, and the hiring company has included additional terms in her employment contract. These terms include: - A two-year non-compete clause, preventing her from working in a competing business in the UAE after leaving the company. - A requirement to repay AED 10,000 for training costs if she resigns within one year of starting the job. - A clause stating that resigned or terminated employees will not receive any bonuses or incentives after leaving. - A disclaimer that any clause violating the UAE Labour Law (Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) will be considered invalid. Are these conditions legally enforceable under UAE law? Can I include a statement to ensure both parties are legally safe?

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hello, How can we apply for new visas for new employees when there is an active court case? Thank you for your help!

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hi, I have negotiated a multiyear rental through an agency. I was expecting the fee to be 5% of the first year’s cost, but I now see the draft contract showing 5% of the total rent for 3 years. This does not seem to be standard practice based on what I’ve read. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

I'm looking for a potential opening of an RDC lawsuit for my tenant. She is not providing rent cheques, even though we agreed and renewed the tenancy contract. There is also an overdue of the 1st cheque payment. I sent a legal notice on non-payment, served on her on 16th September.

Hello, 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. Is this correct and reasonable? I can't be idle for a year. What can I do?

Hello, Someone misused my signature and made a document stating that I have to pay him money. What should I do?

Hello, I understand that if salary is pending for more than two months, an employee can leave the company without serving the notice period. Please correct me if I am wrong. If an employee resigns in such a scenario (due to two months of pending salary) during probation and joins another company, can the previous employer claim reimbursement of recruitment and visa expenses from the new employer?

Hello, My landlord gave me 12 months’ notice for eviction because he was interested in selling the property. Now I found out he gifted the unit to his son and re-rented the property. Can I claim compensation?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

Hello, I purchased two properties in Emirates City, Ajman, UAE, in 2009 and paid a booking amount of AED 212,000. After that, the developer absconded. How can I recover my money?

Hello, I received the final decision from the court regarding the cheque execution filed. What is the next step? How can I pay on an installment basis? How can I request the excess amount regarding the 6% of the loan amount filed, since the final verdict amount was reduced? I also made a deposit to the court of 10,000 AED. How can I request it back? I appreciate your advice, and many thanks.

Should a legal notice be bilingual? I want to send a legal notice to my business partner (non-Arab). I went to an official translator and got an official translation into Arabic. Now I will go with three printouts to the Notary Public. It is about 8 pages in Arabic and 8 pages in English. Question: Should I only take the Arabic printout with me and get that stamped by the Notary, then ask TABLEEGH to send the English version as an attachment to the Arabic notice? Or should I take all 16 pages (8 Arabic + 8 English) and get the notary stamp on the last page? The reason I ask is that sometimes the Notary does not like long notices.

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hello, My wife, who is on my dependent visa in the UAE, has received a job offer. She plans to remain on her dependent visa, and the hiring company has included additional terms in her employment contract. These terms include: - A two-year non-compete clause, preventing her from working in a competing business in the UAE after leaving the company. - A requirement to repay AED 10,000 for training costs if she resigns within one year of starting the job. - A clause stating that resigned or terminated employees will not receive any bonuses or incentives after leaving. - A disclaimer that any clause violating the UAE Labour Law (Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) will be considered invalid. Are these conditions legally enforceable under UAE law? Can I include a statement to ensure both parties are legally safe?

I work as a Director of Project Management in a company in DMCC. During my free time, I have tried providing Project Management Consultation to clients in the USA as a freelancer on UpWork (an Online Freelancing platform) and have seen good traction. I want to pursue this further during my free time. I am currently holding a UAE Golden Visa. 1. I would like to know if I am required to hold a freelancer permit in the UAE if I only serve clients in the USA? I don't have or plan to have any clients in the UAE or in GCC. 2. My clients in the USA have been paying me via UpWork so far, but I would like to receive this money directly via wire transfer to my UAE bank account or through online payment portals. Is this legal to do so? 3. I hold an NOC from my current employer to work on freelance projects during my free time. Can you please clarify the above questions? Jazakallah, Thank you!

Hello, I’m planning to start a consultancy company in Dubai and would like to understand the process, required licenses, and the differences between mainland and free zone setups. Can your firm assist with the full legal registration and the drafting of company documents?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

Hello, Someone snitched, and the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) came to my factory and seized goods with unpaid tax. They seized the goods and imposed a tax penalty and fine of 1.2 million. The Police Headquarters also conducted an inquiry and let me go. Now, if I pay the tax and fine, will my liability be cleared and the travel ban removed, as the travel ban is from the Police Headquarters?

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

Dear Legal Community, I am seeking advice regarding a residential tenancy contract renewal in Ras Al Khaimah. Situation: Property: Residential unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Current Annual Rent: AED 27,000. Contract Expiry: December 21st, 2025. Landlord's Proposal: Increase to AED 38,000 (approx. 41% increase). Notification Date: October 1st, 2025 (81 days before expiry). My Questions: Notice Period Validity: Is a notice of 81 days for a rent increase legally valid in Ras Al Khaimah, given the common requirement of 90 days' prior notice? Rent Increase Legality: Is a 41% rent increase permissible under RAK rental laws and the RAK Municipality Rental Index, or are there caps/guidelines? Tenant's Rights: What are my rights in this situation? Can I insist on renewing at the current rent (AED 27,000) due to the invalid notice? Dispute Resolution: What is the process for escalating this to the Ras Al Khaimah Rent?

Hi, I would like to consult about a defamation issue. Someone has posted false and damaging comments about me and my business on social media. I have screenshots as proof. I would like to know the legal process for filing a cyber complaint or defamation case under UAE law.

I received a legal notice from my ex-company. They claim I breached a non-compete and confidentiality undertaking by joining another company and demand that I: • Terminate my new employment immediately, • Stop working for any competitor for 12 months, • Cease using or disclosing any confidential information, and • Cease soliciting clients, partners, or staff. I deny these allegations. I completed a full handover, have no company data, and resigned lawfully in July 2025. In fact, they never provided me with an employment visa, delayed my UAE contract by 12 months, and failed to pay me for overtime and holiday work despite repeated complaints to HR. The workplace was toxic and harmed my mental health. Now, all of a sudden, they have started threatening me to leave the current company by sending me a legal notice.

Hi, I signed the offer letter from India, signed the labor contract, and sent it to the company. They asked me to take the medical test and go to the consulate for the process, which I did. The company then sent an entry permit, and the consulate stamped the entry visa on my passport. I then took a ticket to AUH and reached Abu Dhabi on 23rd September. On the 25th, I took the medical test; on the 26th, I signed the MOHRE contract again as per the company’s request, completed Taujeeh, and the company initiated labor insurance and applied for the labor card. I can see the MOHRE contract is still in process and not attested. The card application status shows: “Application Status: ILOE Insurance not purchased yet. Please buy ILOE Insurance in order to continue.” My questions are: - Why is the MOHRE contract not being approved? - Who needs to pay for the ILOE insurance? Thanks for your support!

Dear Legal Community, I am seeking advice regarding a residential tenancy contract renewal in Ras Al Khaimah. Situation: Property: Residential unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Current Annual Rent: AED 27,000. Contract Expiry: December 21st, 2025. Landlord's Proposal: Increase to AED 38,000 (approx. 41% increase). Notification Date: October 1st, 2025 (81 days before expiry). My Questions: Notice Period Validity: Is a notice of 81 days for a rent increase legally valid in Ras Al Khaimah, given the common requirement of 90 days' prior notice? Rent Increase Legality: Is a 41% rent increase permissible under RAK rental laws and the RAK Municipality Rental Index, or are there caps/guidelines? Tenant's Rights: What are my rights in this situation? Can I insist on renewing at the current rent (AED 27,000) due to the invalid notice? Dispute Resolution: What is the process for escalating this to the Ras Al Khaimah Rent?

Can my employer cancel my labour contract and revoke my labour card without my knowledge?