Q: Hello, I have filed a complaint about cheque bounce. I have got 2 cheque bounce cases with 2 different parties. There is a travel ban against them as I have filed a police case, but I am not sure how to take this forward as it has been almost 4-5 months. I need advice and guidance on how I can get my money back.

Q: I am a private investor (individual) and I have a lending contract with a Sharjah FZE company represented by its director and shareholder, who also has other Dubai based company. Returning the payments wasn't met despite reminders and extensions. The contract has a late-payment penalty clause and dues are well above the original amount. The issuing bank (balance verification check) informed me that the security cheques were also invalid, as that the account had already been closed prior to issuing the cheques. The contract has a DIFC arbitration clause and UAE jurisdiction. The cheques are not formally cashed yet. What are my options to pursue civil litigation or other debt-recovery means? Arbitration? DIFC SCT? DIFC CFI? Dubai Courts? Current dues are in the range of US$100,000/- including ongoing penalties. I have a signed and stamped original contract, witness IDs, trade license and original security cheques. I am seeking to engage legal expertise for a reasonable fee, preferably linked to a percentage of a successful claim.

Q: We are a car rental company based in Dubai and would like to file a few civil cases for unpaid dues. Could you please give us your best quote? Regards, Hassan Abdul Rehman

Q: I have a property situated in DIFC which is registered with the DIFC Real Property Registry. The tenancy contract additional terms and conditions mention that in case of any dispute between the landlord and tenant, it will be referred to the Rental Disputes Committee. In such a scenario, what will be jurisdiction for dispute resolution?

Q: Can we bypass the arbitration clause in a contract and file a suit in the court? Please provide any article and law case for this.

Q: Hi, We have an agreement within two UAE entities and the arbitration is ICC. The applied law is English law. Kindly advise, in case of any major dispute, can we appeal to Dubai court seeking dispute resolution? Thanks.

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.

Introduction: In the case of [A] v [B] [2024] DIFC SCT, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal addressed a dispute concerning the non-payment of invoices. Natalie, the claimant, alleged that Nola, the defendant, had failed to fulfill payment obligations outlined in an Engagement Agreement dated November 23, 2023.

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 law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.

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.

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).