Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allNon-compete clauses in the employment contract
3
Q: Dear Sir,
I'm Satheesh from Abu Dhabi. For the past 3 years, I was working for a free zone company in Dubai. Our company have clients from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and doing medical billing services for hospitals and medical centres.
I was working with one of the company's clients which is a government hospital in Abu Dhabi (please note - govt is removing our company by Sept.).
My concern is that the hospital is interested to recruit me as their employee. But I already signed a limited contract with my company which has "Non-competition non-solicitation agreement".
My contract states that I cannot join their clients or competitors for 24 months after my visa expiry or end of service. If I violate this law they will take legal actions and they can ask for compensation (Law no. 8 of 1980 for UAE and Law no. 5 of 1985 for Dubai).
My visa is expiring by Aug 25th, so I'd like to join there.
Can I join this Abu Dhabi government hospital or not? If I join, is there any legal issue I have to face from my company?

Jul 30, 2017
10630
The possibility to join a competitor while there is a non-compete clause
2
Q: Hi,
I am working for a company in the Media City as a developer and I have a non-compete clause in my contract. I want to join a competitor who is also in Dubai but because of this non-compete clause, I cannot join the competitor.
Is there any way to leave my current company and join the competitor?

May 9, 2021
664
Applicability of the non-competition clause after leaving job
1
Q: Dear Madam,
I was previously working as a manager in a company providing auditing & accounting services.
I had a non-compete clause inserted into my labour contract. Currently, I have joined a company with a similar practice at a lower salary and designation as I was not able to get a better opportunity.
I have informed my previous company regarding the same and they want an email from me stating that I won't indulge in direct competition. Will sending out such a letter have any implication in future?

Apr 1, 2019
581
The applicability of the non-compete agreement on a swimming coach



2
Q: Hello,
I have questions regarding the non-compete agreement which was written in a contract:
The employee will be committed not to work in the same competing business of the company in the UAE for the period of 2 years if the employee has terminated the contract or if their employment contract had expired as per Article 127 of the Federal Labor Law no. 8 of 1980 without prejudice to the companies legal or contractual obligations. In such case, the additional conditions shall not breach Applicable Laws, or the articles stipulated in this contract or the Annex hereof. In case of adding such conditions, this contract and the annex hereof must be referred to the relevant labor relations authority within MOHRE for review prior to approval thereof.
Is this law in reality enforceable or unenforceable?
My position is not a high senior position (I’m a swimming coach). Does this mean that I am not entitled to work in the UAE for 2 years after my resignation or after my contract ends?
Thanks!




Jan 26, 2023
224
Golden Visa holder with non-compete clause: Can I work for a competitor?



1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Before I left the company, I signed a non-competition clause stating that I could not join any company that is a competitor for two years.
My question is, can I work in the same industry (as a competitor) of my previous company now that I have a Golden Visa under my wife?




Oct 26, 2023
153
New job, similar industry: Can my former employer sue for breach of non-compete?



3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I had a contract with my former employer that had a 3-year non-compete clause. This was an internal company contract.
I later signed another contract with the Dubai Media City Authority, which only mentions that my non-compete is limited to the territory of Dubai.
Which contract am I bound by?
Additionally, the line of business is different between my former employer and my new employer. However, my former employer is saying that they will take legal action and file a case against me.
My new employer has a business within their group umbrella that is similar to one of the products of my former employer.
Can I be held legally liable?




Nov 2, 2023
164
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.
Sep 10, 2024
90176
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.
Apr 20, 1980
103586
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148340
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).
Sep 20, 2021
26346

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451 451 answers •
View allAre there any restrictions on a diplomat buying property in the UAE? 0
Hello,
Is there any restriction on a diplomat buying property in the UAE, where he works as a diplomat at his country's consulate?
Feb 20, 2025
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If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country? 0
Hi.
One of my friends joined a Telegram group. They said, "We will transfer some amount to your account, and your task is to transfer this amount to another account. Once the task is completed, you will get 30 or 50 AED per task."
He completed 3 to 4 tasks, but he realized it was not good, so he stopped. After one week, when he opened his account, it was blocked, and the bank said, "We are conducting an investigation; after this, we will let you know."
After some days, he had an accident and went to his home country. He then received a call from a landline number, which was from the Abu Dhabi police station.
They said, "We have received a complaint against you; come to our investigation department." However, due to his surgery and treatment, he could not go.
After some time, his bank account was reopened, and he did not receive any further calls. I want to know, if he comes back to the UAE or goes to any other GCC country, will he face any problems?
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country?
Please advise!
Feb 17, 2025
132
What can I do if my employer refuses to pay me and I have no contract? 0
Hello,
What legal action can I take in case the employer refuses to pay my salary and I don't have a contract with them?
Feb 18, 2025
116
I want to open an online shop. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? 0
I currently live in Sharjah and have a UAE residence visa but I am not a UAE or GCC national. I want to open an online shop (Etsy or Shopify) to sell handmade items, such as crocheted goods, bookmarks, greeting cards, etc.
Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop?
If so, which license do I need to sell my products online, including UAE and worldwide?
How much would it cost me?
Can I keep my residence visa (sponsored by my father) and not change it?
Feb 14, 2025
112
How can we locate a person with an ongoing legal case? 0
Hello,
I am seeking your legal advice regarding a friend who was previously imprisoned in Abu Dhabi. His case there is now closed, but he has another ongoing case in Dubai.
Currently, we have lost contact with him and are unsure of his whereabouts. How can we check where he is or access any other legal facility?
Are there legal procedures to locate a person with an ongoing case?
What steps should we take to get more information about his status and legal position?
Feb 11, 2025
133

Other answers by
143 143 answers •
View allFiling a case against husband by a non-Muslim wife for adultery 0
I am a non-Muslim Indian woman. I discovered that my husband is having an affair with another woman. I know it is a criminal offense in the UAE and I want to know about the punishment for such an offense.
I would also like to know what kind of evidence is required to file a criminal case?
We both share the same laptop at home and the screen was not clear so I took a backup of the pictures where I have my marriage pictures and also my daughter's pictures. In that, I have found an adultery video of my husband with a woman, close pictures, and some messages.
Once I spoke to him about it, he broke the laptop but I have those pictures with me.
Please help me!
Oct 20, 2019
1272
Ensuring that the employee will not approach the clients after leaving 0
I have a small company of 4 people. One of my oldest staff who has worked for 11 years is leaving. He handles 80% of my clients and work.
Without proof, I know he is going to open his firm. I don't want to harm him but I want to secure my clients. Is it legally okay for me to make him sign a contract that he cannot approach my clients in the near future?
If yes, then what will be the procedure?
Do I have to go to the notary to make this contract valid?
Oct 8, 2019
874
How to make due diligence before entering into a restaurant investment 0
I'm interested in investing in a restaurant business. How can I check to ensure they are a legitimate company and won't just take my money and disappear?
Oct 7, 2019
439
Liability for taking the payment of a customer after leaving company 0
I resigned from my finance job. After that, I picked up my customer EMI 2 months ago.
Can the finance company register any complaint on me?
Sep 24, 2019
484
Filing a case against husband for extramarital relationships 0
My husband is cheating on me. We are married for 21 years and I always suspected this, but this time I have some proof with a new lady.
What are my rights?
Aug 18, 2019
10478
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