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!

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!

I seek your advice on workplace issues in Dubai. I work full-time at a consultancy. After annual leave, I faced false allegations and harassment, and was forced to leave after refusing a salary cut linked to deployment (beyond my control). I am registered as a Person with Disabilities (outside the UAE) and was twice hospitalized. While on forced leave, I also received an email (with the contractor copied) implying misconduct/theft, harming my reputation. Could you clarify my legal rights under the UAE Labour Law (Decree 33/2021), MOHRE, and Federal Court procedures regarding: - Protection from discrimination/harassment, - Salary cuts and forced leave, - Sick leave entitlements, - Defamation and reputational harm, and - Arbitrary dismissal and compensation. What remedies can MOHRE grant, and if escalated to the Federal Court, what compensation (lost wages, damages, end-of-service, moral compensation) might I reasonably claim?

What is the minimum outstanding balance on a telecom provider’s postpaid plan required to file a case?

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 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!

This is my 2nd time renewing my visa for my company, and they changed my contract's notice period from 30 days to 90 days without informing me, and they are insisting that the contract is authority-generated. I checked the UAE Website, and it is mentioned that we can choose between 30 days and 90 days. Please advise what I should do; I don't want to serve 90 days, and it was not in my initial contract. 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?

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 have bought a property and registered it under my daughters’ names. Their ages are 16, 17, and 20 years old. The property is on handover now, and we got approval to go for a mortgage. However, I have decided to sell it. What would be the easiest way to get approval to sell the property within 1 month and to have the revenue divided as follows: 70% from the selling price will go to a better investment, and 30% will go for their education? Please advise me. FYI: I was born in the UAE, and all my daughters were born in the UAE.

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.

Good morning, I am a landlord in a case against my tenant, who has been evicted due to non-payment of rent. The court has already issued the eviction order and provided me with a list of the tenant’s furniture. I also applied for a travel ban and license blocks against the tenant. However, I recently found out that the tenant is currently in Dubai. Since I already have a catch order from the court, could you please advise me on the following: 1. How is it possible for the tenant to re-enter the UAE despite the travel ban and catch order? 2. What is the procedure for me to follow up and activate the catch order now that the tenant is in Dubai? 3. What further steps can we take to ensure the payment settlement is enforced? I would appreciate your urgent guidance on this matter. Thanks!

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?

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!

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!

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.

Hello, I would like to file for a divorce after 18 years of marriage. We are both based in Dubai, and our marriage was registered in the UK. I would like to get a divorce and keep custody of my youngest son, who is 7 years old, until he is at least 11. I also want to get alimony for him, either through monthly payments or a lump sum. We have been separated since mid-April 2025.

Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently involved in a court case against a developer who failed to fulfill his obligations under our contract. My lawyer filed the lawsuit at the beginning of the case, claiming the return of the amounts I paid. Later, the court appointed an expert. The expert has now issued his report and concluded that the developer owes me a much higher amount than what was originally claimed by my lawyer, as the expert also included items such as lost profit and other damages. I am confused and would like your guidance: in my situation, will the court’s decision be based on the expert’s report, or only on the lower amount requested by my lawyer in the lawsuit? Thank you very much for your advice. The court is in Shajrah.

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!

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?

I seek your advice on workplace issues in Dubai. I work full-time at a consultancy. After annual leave, I faced false allegations and harassment, and was forced to leave after refusing a salary cut linked to deployment (beyond my control). I am registered as a Person with Disabilities (outside the UAE) and was twice hospitalized. While on forced leave, I also received an email (with the contractor copied) implying misconduct/theft, harming my reputation. Could you clarify my legal rights under the UAE Labour Law (Decree 33/2021), MOHRE, and Federal Court procedures regarding: - Protection from discrimination/harassment, - Salary cuts and forced leave, - Sick leave entitlements, - Defamation and reputational harm, and - Arbitrary dismissal and compensation. What remedies can MOHRE grant, and if escalated to the Federal Court, what compensation (lost wages, damages, end-of-service, moral compensation) might I reasonably claim?

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?

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 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!

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

I seek your advice on workplace issues in Dubai. I work full-time at a consultancy. After annual leave, I faced false allegations and harassment, and was forced to leave after refusing a salary cut linked to deployment (beyond my control). I am registered as a Person with Disabilities (outside the UAE) and was twice hospitalized. While on forced leave, I also received an email (with the contractor copied) implying misconduct/theft, harming my reputation. Could you clarify my legal rights under the UAE Labour Law (Decree 33/2021), MOHRE, and Federal Court procedures regarding: - Protection from discrimination/harassment, - Salary cuts and forced leave, - Sick leave entitlements, - Defamation and reputational harm, and - Arbitrary dismissal and compensation. What remedies can MOHRE grant, and if escalated to the Federal Court, what compensation (lost wages, damages, end-of-service, moral compensation) might I reasonably claim?

Hello, I have a hearing in Dubai Land Court. Can my husband attend this hearing on my behalf? Will I need to give him a power of attorney, or can he attend the session without it?

Hello, I need help! A year ago, my previous employer filed a complaint at the police station accusing me of abuse. He did this because I had taken him to the labor court for not paying my salary. The labor court case was resolved, and I received my salary. However, the police complaint is still pending. Initially, the police took my statement and informed me to wait for a court summons. It has now been a year, and I have not received any summons. The case is still under police investigation. They have also informed me that there is a travel ban against me. How can I remove this case from the police station?

Dear Sir/Madam, I have invested money in a company in the UAE and got post-dated cheques. They requested to delay the payment for a long time. Now, I deposited one cheque and it bounced. I am creating a cheque execution case. However, I have a few more cheques to deposit that they owe me. They gave me around 5 cheques, of which 3 will cover the money they owe. Can I claim all the cheques? Will I face legal issues from them?

Is it possible for a married Muslim man to get a second marriage in Dubai to a non-Muslim woman? What are the rules and requirements?

Hi, I bought a property in Dubai in November last year and post transfer, I gave the tenant a 1-year notice to vacate the property as I wanted to occupy it. The current Ejari expires in May. I gave the tenant the option to renew until the end of the notice period i.e. up to next December, however, the tenant wants to renew for 1 more year. I need to move in in December, what can I do in this situation? Thanks

Hello, I had filed a case at RDC against my landlord as they had not responded to my legal notice for cancellation, and they had not officially renewed the contract for 2 years as well. I won the case, and the verdict came for contract cancellation. I filed for enforcement after 15 days, and it has been a month since then. The contract is still showing as active on the Dubai REST app. I had disconnected my DEWA and given notice 3 months in advance of the contract expiry date. What can I do now to ensure that they cancel the contract?

Hi, My vehicle was involved in an accident, during which another car collided with mine. The occupants of the other vehicle sustained severe injuries and were hospitalized. The police provided me with a report to submit to my insurance company; however, the insurer has requested a final court order. As I am not aware of the status of this court order, could you please advise me on how to obtain this information and whom I should contact regarding the matter?

I urgently need legal assistance in Dubai. I'm facing multiple execution cases, a criminal complaint for a bounced cheque, and several personal debts under agreements. The total amount is around AED 500,000. Due to execution orders, my UAE bank accounts are blocked, some with negative balances from cheque enforcement, making it impossible to use them for settlements. I do have international accounts and can withdraw up to AED 35,000 per day, of which I am ready to allocate AED 30,000 daily for settlements and legal fees. I am looking for a licensed lawyer or firm that can represent me in all these cases, negotiate with creditors, assist in making payments (either via courts, banks, or through your office), and provide a clear roadmap to resolve everything. I also need guidance on how long banks will take to unblock accounts and clear negative balances after settlement. If I pay the bank directly, will the accounts be immediately restored and cases closed? Please share your fee estimate.

Hello, A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai. The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking. The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund. The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused. The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings. Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?

I’ve been on overstay for a couple of months. Is it possible for me to get a visa with an ongoing criminal case, travel ban, and civil cases (judgments issued)? If so, what would be the process?

The company did not provide me with a visa after 10 months of working with them. They always promise that it is in process. Then they terminated me verbally.

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?