Q: I have a personal loan at Dubai Islamic Bank. I was paying regularly but in 2016 me and my wife were having financial difficulties so I skipped 2 payments. I kept paying regularly after that and wasn't able to catch up on that missed payment, and when my company was about to renew my visa, there was a case filed against me by the bank, so I got jailed. To to cut it short, I paid an amount that was placed on what I am assuming the security check. But until now they are still calling me and asking me to pay the remaining amount of my loan and threatening that they will file up another security check to got me jailed again. I am very concerned and stressed as I am traveling by December of this year. Kindly help please. Thanks.

Q: Dear Hari, Upon the execution of a criminal case related to a bounced cheque, if the fine is paid and the criminal case is disposed of, can the bank automatically file a civil case thereafter or would there be a time frame for it? Regards, WH

Q: Dear Madam, Last three months, I am not paying the personal loan EMIs because I am not getting a salary for the last four months. What action can the bank take against me?

Q: Hi, Please advise me on the below issues! I have taken a loan from a bank (AED 70,000) and suddenly I couldn't pay my loan due because I have some salary issues in my company. They have deposited my security check and I have paid a fine amount of AED 5020 at the police station and I also have the slip which I received from them for payment of the fine. After a few months, I joined a new company. The collection agency called me and advised me to pay the loan amount which is pending. I started paying my loan amount, but suddenly, I faced some financial issues so I couldn't pay the 2-month loan amount. They sent me an email to pay the total outstanding amount of AED 19,000. Will the collection agency file a civil case for that small amount? I will clear my pending loan but I need some time. If they file a civil case, what will be the problem? Can I travel outside the UAE? Please advise me!

Q: Hello all respected lawyers, I left the UAE because of job loss in 2009 and, at that time, I had an unpaid loan of around AED 200,000 from a bank. It must have reached millions now after years of interest. I started my life afresh and after 10 years, I got little stability in life. Now I am in a position to pay around AED 100,000. With your experience, do you think that the bank will be able to accept this as a final settlement and clear my name from the blacklist? Your suggestion is highly appreciated and if you think this amount will be acceptable, then I would like to do it through a lawyer. Thanks in advance!

Q: Hello, Can someone advise me please on my situation? I have a personal loan which is AED 43000. What actions can be taken by the bank or police against me if I will not be able to pay? Thank you

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

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 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.