Questions & Answers
Consequences of multiple criminal cases for bounced cheques
I have two criminal cases for cheque bounce in Al Ain Court for the same party; the first case amount is 1,006,000 AED (13 cheques) and the second case amount is 400,000 AED (one cheque).
What will be the possible action against me? Prison or fine?
What will be the maximum?
Thanks!

Until the beginning of last year, dishonored cheques used to lead to imprisonment (usually from one to three months, but could reach up to 3 years) or a fine imposed upon any person who fails to honor a cheque or commits an act to avoid the payment of a cheque.
(This used to range between AED 1,000 to AED 30,000) based on the provisions of Article 401 of the Penal Code. This was used by creditors as a significant element to pressurize debtors to settle the amount of the cheque to avoid imprisonment.
However, Dubai Law No. 1 of 2017, the law was amended and now if the amount of the dishonored cheque is less than AED 200,000, the drawer will not be imprisoned and will only be subject to a fine of not more than AED 10,000.
Once the said fine is paid, the debtor’s criminal liability would be terminated. From what we understand, the amount of the cheque in question is more than AED 200,000/- in each case.
The second liability is commercial under the provisions of Article 599/2 of the UAE Federal Commercial Transaction Code, pursuant to which, the drawer of a cheque, or whoever orders another to draw it on his behalf, is obliged to deliver sufficient funds to pay such cheque.
The amount of cheque is huge, you need a lawyer to get you out of this situation. Please contact one of our lawyers immediately.