Q: I've taken a loan for 5 years from a bank in Dubai. I've paid for 2.5 years, then I've lost my job and had to leave the country. Until now I can't find a job. I couldn't pay the loan instalment for 8 months. The bank said that they've already written off the loan and is threatening to file a police case. The remaining loan is AED 340k. All I have now is only 150k. I'm afraid that I pay what I have, then stop paying. And then the bank will file a police report. What should I do? Is it possible to reach a deal with the bank to pay the 150k and they close the case and give me back the cheques? If they're going to file a police case anyway, then it's better that I don't pay the 150k. It'll be a lose-lose situation for me and the bank. I want to hire a lawyer to help me close this issue. And explain to me what are my options and how much will his service cost me.

س: تركت العمل بدبي وستُلغَى إقامتي من جهة العمل وسأغادر الإمارات لكن لا يزال مستحق عليّ قرض بنكي بقيمة 12000 درهم. المبلغ غير متوفر وسأضطر إلى المغادرة دون السداد وسأسدد من مصر لاحقًا. سؤالي: هل سأُمنَع من السفر في المطار لوجود قرض مع العلم أنني أنوي السداد خلال 3 أشهر على الأكثر إن شاء الله؟ لا توجد عليّ متأخرات أو عدم انتظام في السداد أو تخلف عن الدفع. شكرًا للمساعدة!

Q: I had an outstanding loan in Dubai around AED 39,000 last 2016. I was terminated at work so I decided to go home in the Philippines that same year. I was not able to notify the bank that I got terminated before I went home to my country. Now, I want to come back to Dubai. What will I do? What are the consequences that I might be facing?

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

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.

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.

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.