Q: Respected Sir / Ma'am, I am an IT service provider. I got a project from one of the companies in Abu Dhabi to perform a System Implementation. I have completed the project and have raised the invoice for the same, but the customer is not paying the amount. It amounts to about 30000 USD. I am calling for a Steering Committee meeting as per the contract/proposal terms to resolve the issue of not paying me. The IT team, to whom I am reporting is just not letting the Steering Committee meeting to happen. I have other projects running in parallel with the same client. I have issued a "Credit Hold" and stopped all activities with proper notice and have all details on email communication. Still, they are not calling for a meeting / trying to resolve the issue... What are my options to recover the amount? If at all I have to hire a lawyer, what will be the costs for the same? Would appreciate your advice/recommendations greatly. Thanks and regards, Raj

س: السلام عليكم، لم تُسدد شركة مبلغ مستحق لي مقابل تقديم خدماتي لها وتُماطل في عدم السداد والوعود لمدة سنتين تقريبًا. ما الإجراء القانوني الذي أستطيع من خلاله استرجاع حقوقي؟ هل يمكنني طلب تعويض مادي لعدم التسديد في الوقت المحدد والمماطلة؟ تتوفر لدي جميع الفواتير والمستندات. مقر الشركة في دبي. شكرًا لكم!

Q: We as an Indian company provided software services to one of our clients in the UAE (a private company) in 2017. Since then, the customer is delaying the payment, and now we have offered him a 50% net discount on their payable as requested by them. Even with this, they are not paying. What legal action can be taken against them?

Q: Hello, A large company was provided with our consulting services and it's completed. However, they have not paid us the balance amount for 6 months citing pending deliverables. Please advise on our best recourse.

Q: Hello, A large company was provided with our consulting services. The services are completed, however, they have not paid us the balance amount for 6 months citing pending deliverables, and also threatening us with counterclaim if we ask for payment. Please advise on our best recourse!

Q: Hi, We are a medical clinic where a patient is not paying a very small amount of money, 5000 AED, even she has signed informed consents and promissory note that she will pay but she didn’t. The problem is that it is not the first time to happen to us. Should we file a case with the police? Should we send a legal notice? Or what can we do? We called her several times and either she refuses the calls or says that she will pay.

Q: Hello, I own a tourism company in the UAE. A customer hired a vehicle with a driver from my company, stating he would pay in cash. He used the car to get picked up from Jumeirah, traveled to Sharjah, and utilized it for a full-day service. When the driver requested payment, the customer said he would pay at the end of the service. However, at the end, he made the driver wait at a location and never showed up. I’ve followed up with him, but he neither pays nor responds to my texts or calls. He has a UAE number. How can I file a complaint against him? Is this considered fraud? Should I file a complaint with Dubai Police?

Q: Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

تبرز الحاجة عند وجود تعاملات بين الشركات التجارية والأفراد لإيجاد طريقة ناجعة وسريعة لتحصيل الحقوق للدائنين، ومنها أوامر الأداء. الأصل حق الدائن في الالتجاء إلى المحكمة للمطالبة بحقه قبل خصمه، و الاستثناء الالتجاء إلى طريق استصدار أمر الأداء. وقد أجاز المشرع الإماراتي لكل من لدية سند دين مستحق الأداء ومعلوم المقدار وغير معلق على شرط أن يسلك طريق أمر الأداء لإقتضاء حقه.

An interview-format article covering the topic of how to increase chances of getting your invoices paid in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of getting paid for small businesses in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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 law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.