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!

How much will it cost for a power of attorney in Dubai for any bank transactions or financial case to handle? Both parties have a UAE residence visa.  

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?

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

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

Hello, One of my staff members, who has been working part-time as a cleaner for a tenant for five months, was accused of stealing jewellery worth AED 7,000. The tenant filed a police complaint, and she was detained for 24 hours. Later, she learned that a criminal case had been filed by the tenant. She insists she is innocent and missed her first opportunity to present a witness to the Public Prosecution. During her first hearing, the judge asked her to upload her statement and bring witnesses at the next hearing in a month. Please advise what documents, evidence, and witnesses we can prepare for her defense.

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, I need legal advice regarding my rented apartment. The landlord is refusing to return my security deposit, claiming false damages. I have photos of the flat taken when I vacated it. Can your legal team help me file a case or send a legal notice through the Rental Dispute Center?

Hello, I have been trying to get my refund from an immigration visa service company for months now. The company promised a refund for a Europe work permit application that they never completed. Despite multiple follow-ups, I have not yet received my money back. I have all the receipts, emails, and WhatsApp messages as proof. The amount is less than AED 5,000; however, it is a big deal to me. Please advise!

My employer didn’t provide me with a visa, and I overstayed for four months. I gave him a resignation letter, and he said he would only cancel my visa if he sent me back to my country. I don’t want to go back, so I filed a complaint against him. The Labour Office called both of us to discuss the complaint and gave me two options: either to continue working with the company or to request cancellation. I chose cancellation, and they told me to give the cancellation request to my manager and work for a one-month notice period, which I did. Do you have any advice for me?

Hello, The company made a change of status for me, which expires on 7/10. My labour card expired on 23/9. I signed a 2-year contract, but they didn’t stamp the visa. The contract is now not showing in my UAE Pass app. In the MOHRE app, my 2-month contract expired on 24/9. Can I leave work now since the contract has expired, and the visa wasn’t stamped, and the contract is not showing in the UAE Pass app, which means they didn’t even submit it? I went to Tasheel, and they told me I can stop working as I have already filed a complaint with MOHRE for one week’s salary and Emirates ID fees. I started on 25/7. The employer paid me only for August. When I asked for my July salary, he gave me a warning letter with a 20% salary deduction. He then complained against me to MOHRE, but MOHRE closed his complaint. For my complaint, they asked me to keep working and wait for MOHRE’s final decision. What should I follow, as the Tasaheel agent told me the company’s license is blocked, and they will not process my contract, so he advised me to stop working and find another job?

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

Hello, One of my staff members, who has been working part-time as a cleaner for a tenant for five months, was accused of stealing jewellery worth AED 7,000. The tenant filed a police complaint, and she was detained for 24 hours. Later, she learned that a criminal case had been filed by the tenant. She insists she is innocent and missed her first opportunity to present a witness to the Public Prosecution. During her first hearing, the judge asked her to upload her statement and bring witnesses at the next hearing in a month. Please advise what documents, evidence, and witnesses we can prepare for her defense.

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.

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?

I would like some advice. Someone has been deported from the UAE after serving 1.5 years in jail for a drug case and has a lifetime travel ban.  Does this ban remain only in the UAE, or is it applicable to other GCC countries such as KSA, Qatar, or Oman? Additionally, is there a way to remove this travel ban in the UAE when a person's family is still based in the UAE? If yes. What’s the procedure?

Hello, We have been scammed by an individual who did not provide the stated service. They took a lot of money and important documents. I have audio recordings of him talking about these things. We had a bad lawyer in Iraq who stole property by forging documents. This man said he had many connections to help us. While it was true that he had connections, he didn’t actually help us. Instead, he cooperated with the bad lawyer, agreed with him, and gave the bad lawyer all our important documents.

Dear Lawyers, What is the difference between filing a criminal case or a financial case for business fraud? Can both be done through a lawyer? Thank you!