Q: Hi Sir, "Under a new criminal order issued by the Dubai Attorney General Essam Al Humaidan, a range of minor offences – including bouncing cheques and failing to pay rent – will no longer be put through the court system and instead be treated as a misdemeanour subject to a financial penalty. The new ruling, which will come into effect in December, means those responsible for bounced cheques of up to Dh50,000 will be fined Dh2,000, while those who bounce cheques of between Dh50,000 and Dh100,000 must pay a Dh5,000 fine, with a Dh10,000 fine for cheques between Dh100,000 and Dh200,000". I have seen this new rule and I would like to know if this already started and if I already have a criminal case how can I pay the fine?

Q: Is it correct that cheque cases today are no longer treated as criminal and are dealt with a fine according to cheque value? Sincerely, Dr A.K.

Q: Hi. I have an issue. My passport is with the police due to a case. I couldn't pay the fine and now again my friend requested to schedule a new public prosecution request. However, my family also arrived with residence entry but I couldn't do the stamping since I lost my job. Now, I am jobless and trying to get a new job, but my family is with me. No visa stamp is done after one month has passed. I don't have money to pay my fine. Please give the best advice on what to do. I am out of money. If I get a job, I don't know how I can give my passport to the new employer. Please help me.

Q: Madam, If the amount is 15,000, what is the fine to solve the issue?

Q: Hi, My husband has an existing police case in Dubai for a bounced cheque amounting to 150,000AED. He and the police agreed that he will pay the fine on Nov17. Now, the bank Legal Lawyer talked with my husband and said that instead of paying the fine, my husband can pay the bank so that the loan will be lessened (his estimated balance is 95k), then they will withdraw the police case. We are planning to talk to them to restructure the loan. What should be the best thing to do in this case? Thank you so much in advance for the answers!

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

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 Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.