Q: Hi I have 2 properties bought off-plan. Both are overdue. Both are above 90% completed & approximately 6-9 months overdue. I lost my job due to COVID-19 & can no longer fulfil my financial obligations. The properties are with [--------] & [-------]. Is it possible to win a case, cancel the SPA & get my money back? I would like a friendly termination of the SPA which both developers have declined.

Q: I have made a 20% down-payment against an off-plan property in 2017. The sale & purchase agreement does not include a "Termination/Refund" clause and the property is due for handover by the end of the month. The property value has dropped by 40% and I'm able to only get a mortgage for 80% of the current value. However, due to the current situation and the impact of COVID-19 financially, I'm not in a position to proceed with the remaining instalments. I have to forfeit the contract as the developer has not given me any options for deferral of payment and has declined the request for a delayed handover. Please advise if and how I can get a refund on the 20% amount that has already been paid upfront.

Q: Good afternoon. My name is E., I have been made redundant last week and I have paid down payment last year for an off-plan building. Is there any chance I can get that money back? Thank you

As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.

An interview-format article covering the topic of force majeure in the UAE, in light of COVID-19. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

This Law establishes interim property register in which sale contracts, off-plan sales, and other off-plan legal dispositions of real property are registered prior to inclusion in the property register maintained by Dubai Land Department.

The provisions of this Law supersede articles (2) and (11) of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.