Hi, I need some guidance regarding a property transaction that is not progressing as expected. My broker initiated a manual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between me (the Buyer) and the Seller, with an expiry date of 01/02/2025. Within this period, I successfully arranged the bank mortgage, property evaluation, and NOC. However, the broker started giving excuses, such as the seller being hospitalized. Later, the broker attempted to arrange a Power of Attorney (POA). However, after that, they started ignoring my messages and calls. It now seems like they no longer intend to proceed with me, and the MOU has already expired. Meanwhile, my bank EMI has already started, and I have paid two monthly installments. The broker is still unresponsive. I have raised multiple complaints through DLD RVS against the broker, but the response has been very slow and unsatisfactory. I’m feeling stuck and financially burdened. Please advise

Hey, I'm building my house in Dubai, and it was going well. I gave the contractor 420k as a first payment, and we both agreed that the rest would be in installments. Just two months ago, the contractor went off the grid, and I can't find him. All I have is a security cheque that bounced back when I went to the bank, as the signature doesn't match what's in the file. However, I learnt that he does have money, but not the amount that's in the cheque. What should I do now to get my money back? I need advice.

Hello, I was an employee of a major group in the UAE. Now, they have transferred me to another entity within the same group in the UAE. What happens to the benefits and allowances agreed upon by the first entity? Please provide the legal details related to this matter, along with the relevant statutory provisions.

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?

Hello, A juvenile case has been withdrawn by a third party, but the prosecution doesn’t want to end it. The child is out on bail. Now the case has moved to court. What steps should be taken next, or how will they handle it?

Hello, How much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court? And what's the probability of freezing my account or traffic file if I’m paying?

I used to work as a manager in a company, and my name was removed by the Dubai court of execution.  Now, on the paid rent, I got a travel ban, which I objected to at RDC. The RDC accepted and gave the next hearing date, as I will have all the court papers. Is there any way to remove the travel ban, as the objections I made at the execution hearing are next month, almost one month? Is there any way you can put the amount as a deposit, and once the objection case is over, you can take it back?

My brother lost his job in the UAE 8 months ago and has a debt of AED 170,000 to a bank. He is finding it extremely difficult to make monthly loan payments to the bank, as he has been unable to find a job even after 8 months. What options does he have to reduce/settle his bank debt without having restrictions on him, like a travel ban, etc? Please help him find the best possible solution considering his current financial situation.

Hi there, My husband and I are Muslims. My husband passed away recently. We have a Canadian will, but I understand that it won’t be honored as I am named the sole beneficiary, and that does not align with Sharia laws in the UAE. He was not a UAE resident but had a small apartment with no Will in the UAE. We have 3 children. I am planning to go to Dubai to start an inheritance case. I don’t know the exact order of events and what needs to be done first. 1) Do I initiate anything from overseas before making travel plans to Dubai, or do I start once I arrive in Dubai? Mind you, we cannot afford to stay in Dubai for too long, as the kids have school. 2) Do I need a lawyer, or can this be done by myself? 3) I understand all foreign documents need to be authenticated before presenting them to the court. But I don’t know at what stage I would need these documents authenticated. I would appreciate it if you could provide a breakdown of the steps, the forms that are needed, and where I can find them. Thank you

I am working in a Dubai private company and I have completed six months of the probation period. Now, I have decided to resign due to a physical problem. My MOHRE contract mentions one month's notice, and I am willing to serve the notice period, but the employer asks for visa expenses. My passport was also retained by the employer. How can I cancel my visa by chance? I filed a complaint at the labour court. How many days does it take to get a verdict?

Hello, Is there any restriction on a diplomat buying property in the UAE, where he works as a diplomat at his country's consulate?

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!

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?

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?

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?

Hello, I'm currently looking for legal advice regarding an online defamation case. I am a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines. The person I want to file a complaint against is also a Filipino citizen and is currently based in Dubai. I have already sought legal consultation, but it cost me a lot for just a simple session. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford to proceed with the fees required for sending a warning or demand letter to the person I’m complaining about. I would really appreciate any help, guidance, or information about possible free or low-cost legal services. Thank you for your time!

Hi, I have issued a blank cheque for my EMI, and now the company is using my blank cheque and putting any amount to deposit it. My total unpaid balance is AED 19000, but they mentioned AED 42,030 on the cheque and another AED 10000. They told me they will deposit it to file a case. What is my remedy on this matter? Thank you.

I have a bank loan in Dubai of AED 20000 and two credit cards from different banks (5000+5000), and the total is AED 30000. The liability is in Dubai. I left Dubai 10 years ago. Now I have a job offer from Kuwait. Can I go there?

Hello, Kindly let me know the statutory provisions relating to the penalty for letting employees work without a visa and the amount of penalty to be paid by the employer.

Hello, My partner voluntarily withdrew from our company which we established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We established this company on July 1, 2024. Until now, there is no income or revenue. What is the legality?

لدينا قضية مدنية مرفوعة ضد الشركة؛ وهي عبارة عن خلاف في حساب الكميات وجودتها داخل شركة مقاولات حيث فرضوا غرامات علينا لأعمال لم تكن في نطاق عملنا. السؤال: في حال استدعت المحكمة خبيرًا فنيًا للحكم بيننا، مَن يدفع راتب الخبير؟ ومَن يُعينه؟ ومن أي جانب يأتي لضمان الحيادية؟

Dear Legal Advice ME I own a company in DIFC which is struggling due to the current crisis and employees were given three months notice because the company will probably be forced to close. One employee is asking if he can take his gratuity early as his wife has lost her job due to COVID-19. Can I legally give him a loan against a percentage of his gratuity? He has worked for me for 16 years.

I want to early terminate my tenancy contract of one of my nurseries in JLT (retail unit) as the business is completely shut since March. I am unable to contact my landlord who is a Chinese national; he does not reply to email or call and may not be in Dubai. The final cheque is due 01 May 2020, what should I do?

دفعت مبلغ حجز لمطوِّر قبل توقيع أي عقود رسمية لشقة، عند معاينة شقة العرض للمشروع قام البائع بإبلاغنا بأن رسوم الخدمات ١٤ درهم وبأن الشقة سيتم تسليمها بنفس تفاصيل تشطيبات شقة العرض وأن العقد غير جاهز حاليًا وسيتم تجهيزه بعد يومين. تم هذا كله أمام أحد الوسطاء العقاريين الرسميين، وعند طباعة العقود تبين أن رسوم الخدمات ١٧.٥ إلى ١٨ درهم والتفاصيل التي ذكرها البائع بشأن بعض التشطيبات كما بشقة العرض غير مذكورة بالعقد، وعند العودة الى البائع تردد وأنكر وبعد مخاطبة شركته، لم يتعاونوا معي أبدًا ولم يُعيدوا مبلغ الحجز. كيف يمكنني استرجاع المبلغ علمًا بأنه يوجد لدي فقط وصل مختوم بالمبلغ المدفوع وشهادة شركة الوساطة العقارية؟

I purchased 2 off-plan hotel apartments in 2016; both ACD Q2, 2018. One is 100% paid, the other is 30% as per the SPA. According to SPA: "Without prejudice to the Seller's rights under Clause 21 in respect of a Force Majeure Event and/or Foreign Delay Events, the ACD may be extended by the Seller, in its absolute discretion without cause, by written notice to the Purchaser for a period or periods of up to a total of twelve (12) months." No written notice was received, despite requesting it on 21/09/2018 by email (no reply). After several misleading communications and changing completion dates, they are now saying that because I did not exercise my entitlement to send written notice requiring completion of building works within 1 year from ACD ("Remedy Period"), I am not entitled to terminate. I didn't send this notice as I was waiting for them to send theirs as per SPA obligations. Current RERA status is 61.59% (due 30/06/2020)and 84.54% (due 31/05/2020). Is this a good cause for termination?