Q: I had a difficult financial situation last year, so I stopped paying on credit cards to the bank. As a result, I started receiving calls from the bank's collectors. To avoid their pressure I ignored that calls and eventually I changed my number. Now, after one year, my situation became more stable, I've got a new job and I am ready to pay the debts. But I would like to know: if the bank has already filed the case against me, would it work if I'll try to settle my debt after one year or I should still go to prison for the delay?

Q: Hi, I lost my job a year ago and I have an outstanding credit card of AED 300k. I've missed the last 9 monthly payments (I am negotiating directly with the bank). I am willing to settle the credit card with one lump sum payment that a friend will lend me. How much discount on the balance of AED 300k can I negotiate to settle the matter? Should I also ask for a clearance/ no liability letter?

Q: Hello. I owe a bank here in the UAE a credit card debt amount. Due to circumstances (losing my main source of income, having other financial burdens, including monthly medical bills for cancer treatment & medications etc., and  I don't have health insurance), I haven't been able to pay back on time since over a year ago. Hence, that amount has since accumulated from a small figure to a relatively big one (currently at around AED 70,000). I have received an email recently from some "credit collection" agency, saying that if I don't pay back next month, they'll put a travel ban on me and file a civil case. However, it is impossible for me to pay this amount at this time. I am currently making "some" income (not as close as I used to before, but still), and have the intention to resolve this issue. Is there any way to reach a settlement with the bank (maybe to waive part of the amount or the interest), break down the monthly installments to smaller amounts, or any other solution you would suggest? Many thanks.

Q: Hi, I am staying in Abu Dhabi with my husband & 7 years old daughter. My husband was working in a big construction company from the year 1996. In October 2015, he got terminated due to which he went in depression. He got another job but due to depression, he was not going to work regularly. The company terminated him. He doesn't have a job for 2 months & he is not in the position to look for the job as he has depression again. He was having 3 credit cards. During his first job, he paid regularly without any delays. But after this new job, he didn't pay on time & even for 2 cards we were unable to pay for around 1 year. For the third card after checking with the bank, we had made installments but now for past 3 months, we didn't pay for it. I really don't know what to do. I am also working but my salary is good enough for the rent only. Nowadays, our friends are helping us for the daily needs even. Kindly let me know what could be the possible solution for this & can I send my daughter to the home country?

Q: I have a police case for a bounced cheque last year March 17. It was against a loan which I drew but later I changed my job. I left the UAE and came back, but before I can do something the bank felt insecurity and immediately they submitted my security cheque to the police station and put a case on me. The same day, I paid the fine and came out. Later, I joined a new company and provided the necessary documents and new security cheque. My account was then regularised (After resigning from the previous company my account was frozen) and since then everything is fine. Now, I want to settle my loan in full. I already mobilised funds needed. I want to know asap if I settle the loan in full, how the travel ban or police case will be removed? Will the bank do everything and give me a clearance letter?

Q: Hi! I want to know where I must go to check police case/s filed against me by the banks and where and how will I pay the fine.

Q: Dear Sir, Hope this mail finds you well. I left Dubai in 2016 due to my serious health issues, having a loan of AED 100000 and a few credit cards also. Now, I would like a settlement. Please let me know the process and total fee for my case if I hire a lawyer. Thank you Nitin India

Q: I am a defaulter on a bank loan in the UAE. Now, I am requesting the bank for settlement but still no reply from their side, can you guide me on this? What I have to do now? I am offering them but they're still emailing me about a legal case. Any solution to this?

Q: I had taken a personal loan of AED 160,000 from the bank and I was paying regularly. Unfortunately, my boss took a huge loan and left the country, hence we have got stuck without salary and unable to cancel the visa. Finally, we found our local sponsor and cancelled the visa and got a new job with a lesser salary after 7 months. By that time, I became a defaulter and the bank bounced my cheque of AED 242,000 along with a police complaint. Now, what should I do? Do I get imprisonment? I am very scared.

I believe that there is a similarity between medicine and law, and just as there is a way to ask a question to a doctor to get the most accurate and correct answers from him, which ultimately helps you receive the correct diagnosis, and therefore the correct treatment, there is a way to ask a lawyer.

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 provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).