Q: Dear Ma'am, I was recently contacted by a debt collection agency through a phone call on behalf of a bank in the UAE. They alleged that there are outstanding credit card dues from the year 2000 for some AED 200,000! I left the UAE in 1997 and did not continue my relationship with that bank thereafter. I do not recall the credit card debt in question and may have inadvertently missed out on the credit card payment, if any, at that time while leaving the country. What are the implications at this time? Now, that over 18 years have passed, can the bank enforce this debt to be recovered? Would appreciate your advice on this matter. Thanks, Regards, S.

Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

Q: Q.1 Can a bank file a civil case for a credit card bounced cheque against a person, without filing a police case? Q.2 A person's rent cheque for residential apartment bounced, real estate property dealer files police case on him, the court gives him fine for X amount and closes the police case. The question is, will there be a time bar by law to wait for 2 or more months before they file a civil case against the tenant? Q.3 Under which circumstances there is jail for a rent cheque bounce in the judgement of a civil case? (Considering that the tenant faced police case, which is closed now and the tenant paid fine also for that as per the judgement of the court)

Q: I have filed a commercial case for debt recovery against the defendant company in Dubai. I have won the case in my favor. The defendant company's eventual owner and the managing director are Indian ex-pats based in Dubai since more than 30 years. He is currently in Dubai and I strongly know and believe that he cannot run or leave Dubai in the immediate to long term so he will have to face the execution filed against him. What is expected to happen (what will be each stage) after we file for execution and the expected timeline I will expect in due course before I can finally recover our funds Please anyone can guide me in detail and in full explanations. Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the difference between a minor criminal circuit court and a major criminal circuit court?

Q: Hi, I am working for an Architectural and Engineering Consultancy in the UAE. We carried out design services for a Real Estate Developer around 13 years ago and there are still payments that have not been settled to date. I would like to enquire about the following: 1) Is it still possible to file a legal case against the Real Estate Developer according to Article (473) of the UAE Federal Law 1985, stipulating a time limitation of 15 years? 2) Does Article (475) of the UAE Federal Law 1985 apply to Architectural and Engineering firms? I understand it applies only to individuals since the time limitation under this Article is 5 years only which contradicts Article (473). 3) What is the time limitation for Architectural and Engineering firms to raise a legal case/claim against a Real Estate Developer for works completed but not paid? Thank you!

Q: Hello, What is the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit in the UAE?

The law promulgates UAE Criminal Procedural Law (Penal Procedures Law) which governs criminal procedures in the UAE. This law applies to the procedures relating to offences whose punishments are not specified, dogma and punitive offences, and blood money, if they do not violate the Sharia rules.

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.

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.