Q: I want to prepare a statement of defence over a bounced cheque in Abu Dhabi. What are the main points that I should include and the main points I should exclude in the statement? I cannot afford lawyer fees as I earn less than AED 5,000 and most lawyers want above AED 10,000.

Q: Hi madam, If a lot of cheques equal to AED 300,000 have been bounced and cases are filed and a travel ban imposed, what will be the punishments or consequences to be faced if caught? I can't afford to pay back even 1,000 Dhs. Will I have to pay the full amount? Please advise. Thanks

Q: Dear sir,One of my friend promised me to get a job in Dubai and demanded for money and my degree. After arrangement of money I agree to pay 80K and sent my degree through courier.I paid 20000 directly in his Indian IDBI bank account and rest of 60000 by cheque in his same account in the month of march 2016. I have all whatsapp chat conversation and voice message from his Dubai no.Now he has shown his actual face and I came to know that I was traped.Is there any way to recover my amount from them?Thanks and regardMohammed jahangir

Q: I entered an agreement to purchase a machine and made a 50% down payment 90 days earlier with a company in Sharjah. The agreement was to have the machine delivered within 45 days. The company has been stalling and being vague with no clear official communication on when it will actually deliver the machine, in spite of me constantly following up. When they do reply and give an expected date, that lapses with no communication from them and I have to once again keep following up. This is now affecting my business operations. What are my options to cancel this order and get a refund on my advance who should I raise a complaint with?

Q: Hi, Good morning! I'm the CEO of a company and this is for a poor and helpless girl who is working in my niece's office. One boy from Kerala pretended to be loving her, had physical relation and he took some nude photos. Later, he started blackmailing her and forced to go for a car loan, personal loan and other borrowings to the extent of AED 100,000. She is a fatherless girl and working for a job at AED 3000. The boy has escaped to Kerala and now not attending the calls. His mother, sister and brother in law are working in Dubai! Now, the bank and other institutions started putting tremendous pressure on her and she is in a mental trauma. She doesn't have the money to close all these loans or pay lawyer fees to pursue a case! What to do? She is a 22-year-old girl from India and now in grieve!! It would be a really great help if you could give a proper legal advice that would certainly give her a ray of hope to live further! Await your reply. Best regards, Suresh

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

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.

The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.