Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
5 available 5 • View allClaiming an outstanding debt from a client in Dubai
1
Q: Hi,
We run a small consulting and design firm in Cape Town, South Africa. We recently were commissioned by a client in Dubai to develop their brand strategy and revise their website.
The last 25% payment is due and the client refuses to release this payment. It's a small amount of around $2500. What are our options without finding ourselves in debt?
Thank you

Aug 23, 2018
435
What can be done if your customer is not paying your invoices? (Part II)
1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I worked as a broadcast and event management consultant and ran large scale sports entertainment events for a UAE based client but my invoice for labour and material expenses remain unpaid after six months.
My client claims they are restructuring and are hoping to pay me but what can I do to help recover my money? I am UK based.
Any advice appreciated. Many thanks.

Jun 13, 2017
319
What can be done if your customer is not paying your invoices?
10
Q: My firm (based in the UK) is owed $57,500 for providing materials and event management services for a Dubai-based business called International Premier Tennis League.
They have failed to pay my invoice or any of the individual skilled craftsmen and technicians I recommended they hired to deliver the events which we delivered in December 2016.
What I'd like to do is recover my money and possibly make sure that the business behaviour of the IPTL management team is not repeated (it must be a crime to commit business services to a project without ever having the means to pay for it).
Any help or advice appreciated, please.

Jun 13, 2017
13341
Is the seller of goods liable toward the buyer when the supplier fails to deliver?

1
Q: Hi,
We entered a contract as a trading company to supply goods to a client in Europe from the supplier company in Vietnam. Terms of sales were FOB. The supplier in Vietnam did not perform and deliver the goods to the client's forwarder.
We have filed a civil case in Vietnam against the supplier to refund the payment made to them or provide the goods. The amount is USD 800,000.
The end client in Europe is threatening to file a case against us in the UAE even though they are fully aware that we have transferred all funds to the Vietnam company.
Under good faith, we kept them updated but now they are impatient and want to recover the money from us saying their contract is with our company and have nothing to do with the supplier in Vietnam.
My queries:
1. Can we place a defence if a civil case is filed against us.
2. What are our rights to defend?


Mar 27, 2021
175
Asking for full refund upon failing to fulfil obligations by a manufacturer


2
Q: Hello,
I am looking for legal advice regarding the following case:
I ordered from a clothing manufacturer several custom-made items (T-shirts, sweaters, etc.). While customizing the items before production, I was offered different fabrics and ended up choosing one which was presented to me as 100% cotton.
The items were made and the manufacturer put labels on each and every piece indicating they are 100% cotton.
Recently, someone brought to my attention that these fabrics were not 100% cotton. I asked the manufacturer to provide a certificate saying that they are and he refused, coming up with some excuses.
So I paid for a test myself and the results showed that indeed these fabrics are not 100% cotton. This puts me in a very bad position as I plan to sell these items, which I can't do now as I will be lying to my clients.
What can/should I do now? Can I ask for a full refund?
Thank you very much for your support!



May 24, 2022
186
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allHow to Get Paid if You Are a Small Business? 6
An interview-format article covering the topic of getting paid for small businesses in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 15, 2021
478
How to Increase Chances of Getting Your Invoices Paid in the UAE 0
An interview-format article covering the topic of how to increase chances of getting your invoices paid in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 24, 2021
691
There is an execution against me in the UAE; what should I do? 39
There is an execution against me in the UAE; what should I do? How do I cancel the arrest warrant and summons, and how do I deal with the travel ban? Dear readers, we present this simplified article, in which we explain the implementation procedures briefly, how the defendant can deal with them, and the options he can take to enforce the judgment smoothly while decreasing the damages of implementation as much as possible.
Apr 18, 2024
3863
Laws & Regulations
5 available 5 • View allFederal Law No. (18) of 1993 Issuing the Commercial Transactions Law 19
This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.
Sep 7, 1993
33000
Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 Concerning Issuance of the Civil Procedures Code 42
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.
Feb 24, 1992
75279
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148346
Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection 0
The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).
Nov 10, 2020
590
Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection 0
The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection.
Mar 29, 2007
209

Premium
Other answers by
1288 1288 answers •
View allHow to file an online defamation case from the Philippines against someone in Dubai? 0
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!
Apr 11, 2025
63
What can I do if my creditor used my blank cheque to put an amount more than my unpaid balance? 0
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.
Apr 10, 2025
64
I have unpaid bank loan and credit cards in Dubai and got a job offer from Kuwait. Can I go there? 0
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?
Apr 10, 2025
91
What are the penalties for employing workers without a visa? 0
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.
Apr 9, 2025
51
What are the legal consequences of my partner's voluntary withdrawal from our company? 0
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?
Apr 9, 2025
66

Premium
Other answers by
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
685
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
1400
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
798
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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