Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allSafeguarding your interests while purchasing an existing business


4
Q: Buying a small business in Abu Dhabi. What are the legal requirements? What are the items on a checklist that one should consider before investing? What are the pitfalls of buying an existing business?



Aug 28, 2018
2210
The due diligence before buying an existing business in the UAE

10
Q: I'm going to buy an existing business in the UAE (mainland company). Please advice:
1. How can I check whether the company has any existing liabilities in UAE banks?
2. What kind of documents shall I request from the company owner as a confirmation that he paid all his debts to the local agent?
3. Would I request any proof from the local agent?
Thank you!


Aug 16, 2020
1581
What measures need to be taken before buying an existing active company?
3
Q: Hi,
I am planning to buy an existing active company, 13 yrs old, but I foresee legal issues/hidden liabilities later.
How can I best safeguard myself?
What measures need to be taken before the transfer?
Please advice!

Dec 14, 2020
962
How to guarantee your rights before investing in a company

1
Q: Dear Sirs,
I'm looking to invest in a company by purchasing movable assets. I will not be a partner in this company, however, the company owner is offering to give a security cheque against a minimum amount to be invested in.
My questions are:
Is it feasible to get a security cheque against the amount invested? does it secure my invested money? What are other alternatives to guarantee my money invested?
Is there any minimum amount where the debt amount is due, identified, unconditional and is not less than AED 10,000 and evidenced in writing?
After then I can be able to file for a court case whenever this debtor breaches the given date?
Your response is highly appreciated,
Thank you in advance, RAFIC


Mar 20, 2021
277
Liability of partner in a limited liability company
1
Q: I'm buying a partner visa, which means I don't have anything to do with their company.
In the future, would I be held liable for whatever liabilities made by them or by the company?

Aug 2, 2020
299
Upon purchasing a Dutch company, a legal opinion is requested. Who can help?



1
Q: Hi,
My UAE entity is purchasing a company in the Netherlands. The Notary has requested the following:
Legal opinion (issued by a local lawyer and duly legalized/apostilled) regarding the purchaser and confirming at least:
(i) The statutory name, registered address, and registration details/number of the purchaser,
(ii) That the purchaser is in good standing,
(iii) That the purchase of the shares of SAS84 B.V. falls within the corporate scope and objects of the purchaser,
(iv) That I am authorized to solely represent the purchaser for all purposes.
Can a lawyer please help?




Nov 21, 2023
88
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allBreach of Trust and Debts as the Base of Corporate Crime 1
This article intends to give a brief idea of corporate crime, how it happens in the corporate world, the relevance of choosing the right legal action and mechanism.
Mar 26, 2017
1290
100% Foreign Ownership of Companies in the UAE 12
The UAE government has announced important changes to the federal Commercial Companies Law, the most significant is related to the foreign ownership of mainland companies. This will grant foreign investors the full ownership of share capital in companies carrying out certain activities specified to that effect by the competent authorities. This means that foreign investors’ shares will not be limited anymore to a maximum of 49% like before, but can be up to 100% instead.
Jun 13, 2021
3097
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (2) of 2015 On Commercial Companies 15
The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.
Mar 25, 2015
29524

Premium
Other answers by
337 337 answers •
View allCan a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
74
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
87
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
104
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
48
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 0
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
75

Other answers by
108 108 answers •
View allCan you enter Dubai if you leave a GCC country with possible civil and criminal cases? 0
Hi Hayyan,
In 2014 I had been to Qatar on a "Work-Business" visa valid for 30 days. Before my visa expiration, I fled from Qatar back to India without informing the sponsor or office management.
After I returned to India, I received an email from HR stating that the Qatari sponsor has filed an absconding case, a civil case, and a criminal case against me with the Ministry of Interior in Qatar.
Now my question is, can I travel to Dubai on a work visa?
Will there be any issue entering Dubai assuming that the Qatari sponsor has filed the said cases against me?
Awaiting your response,
H.
Currently staying in India.
Mar 8, 2022
420
Help with drafting service provider agreement for marketplace tech startup 0
We are a tech startup creating the first auto/car service and repair marketplace.
As a marketplace, we only facilitate listing and booking the services while the service providers (the workshops) are the service providers and are responsible to deliver and carry the selected /booked job.
We need to draft a marketplace supplier/service provider agreement between us and the workshops outlining the responsibilities and liabilities of both sides.
I would like to work with a law firm that has previous experience in drafting such marketplace-related agreements.
Dec 7, 2021
375
Drafting an agreement between an auto service marketplace and service providers 0
Hi Mohammed,
We are a tech startup creating an auto service and repair marketplace. As a marketplace, we only facilitate listing and booking the services while the service providers (the workshops) are the service providers and are responsible to deliver and carry the selected/booked job.
We need to draft a marketplace supplier/service provider agreement between us and the workshops outlining the responsibilities and liabilities of both sides. I would like to work with a law firm that has previous experience in drafting such marketplace-related agreements.
Is this something you can work on and have previous experience in?
Dec 6, 2021
350
Legal assistance in preparing T&Cs and privacy policy for startups 0
Hi,
I am starting a website that connects freelancers to media professionals and individuals. It will be a marketplace sort of platform.
Where can I find a legal advisor to help with the terms and conditions and privacy policy for startups?
Thank you for your reply in advance.
N.
Sep 20, 2021
158
Legal requirements for starting a business by a minor 0
Legal requirements for starting a business by a minor in the UAE
I am currently 16 and I’m an Emirati national. I am willing to start my own e-commerce business.
Is it possible to get an e-commerce license even if I am a minor?
Jul 12, 2021
1241

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177 177 answers •
View allHow to liquidate a free zone company after the death of one partner 0
I am a company owner In Shams free zone of 50 per cent share and have a partner visa. My partner was a Russian who went to Russia and died.
When I went to the free zone to cancel my visa and close the company, they have asked me to get his attested death certificate and NOC from his heirs.
The problem I am facing is his family doesn’t want to give the death certificate nor they want to give NOC. Now my resident visa validity is over and I am on fine every day.
Neither the free zone is cooperating nor the partner's family. What is the other way I can cancel my visa and close the company?
Can someone guide me, please?
Apr 19, 2021
684
How the objection of a client be dealt with after being notified for termination by DLD? 0
I have been notified by DLD that I am in breach of an off-plan sales agreement, and the developer wishes to terminate the agreement.
The date on the notice is March 9, 2021, and I received it from the developer on March 11, 2021. The notice says I have 30 days "from the date of being notified" to make the outstanding payment.
On the termination notice from DLD, a list of objections is present. One of the objections states that the developer must hand over the final SPA to me.
In this case, I have not received the final SPA from the developer. I made an objection in writing to the DLD pointing this fact out and sent it via email, and received a confirmation of the same from DLD by return e-mail on April 6, 2021.
30 days from March 9th is April 8th, or from March 11th is April 10th. Does the developer have to respond to my objection before the DLD will allow them to terminate the agreement?
In this case, will the time I have to make the payment be extended by any period?
Apr 19, 2021
1398
Opening a trustee with wife and signing a postnuptial agreement 0
I would like to open a trustee with my wife and sign a postnuptial agreement.
Apr 19, 2021
447
Closing a business while the local service agent is not reachable 0
Hi,
We have a professional services license (2 partners) + 1 local service agent registered with DED, Dubai.
The partners wish to close the business because of unavoidable circumstances. We wish to proceed with all the necessary paperwork for cancellation.
Unfortunately, the local service agent is not available. We have been trying to connect to him multiple times but have not been able to reach him.
The due date for the renewal of the company is coming up and we want to proceed with all the paperwork for cancellation prior to that.
Kindly advise us about the options if the local service agent is unavailable.
Apr 19, 2021
796
Returning to the UAE to run business after being convicted with a crime 0
Hi,
I want some information regarding my uncle. He was arrested in November 2015 and was in prison until 13 June 2016 when he was deported to Pakistan.
The reason for the arrest was that my uncle had his own business in Sharjah and he was involved in a case where his employee accused him of attacking him and other allegations. He was arrested and convicted.
He needs to reenter the country as he has his business in Sharjah but I believe he is blacklisted/banned. How can I find out if he is blacklisted/banned and how can it be removed to allow my uncle to reenter the country and take over his business?
Is there any way of helping to resolve this issue?
I know that if he enters on a visa, he could be arrested at the airport, and don’t want that to happen.
Thank you!
Apr 5, 2021
497
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