Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allRecourse for unpaid dues in commercial transactions

6
Q: I am a contractor and my client has pending payments with him. I have received 5 out of 13 payments I sent him.
All the 13 payments are late. All the payments have been signed and approved and he gave me a payment certificate to confirm due date of payment but until this date, it is not paid.
Each certificate is delayed out of the 8 balance. They range in delay from 2 weeks to 6 months. What are my rights and the damages I can claim as per the UAE law?
Please note that I had to close down my business because I can't afford to run it due to the late payments.


Jun 10, 2018
5198
Filing a civil case for the recovery of an old debt
2
Q: Hi.
A local company owes me AED 900,000. The cheques bounced and the owner/signatory ran away to the UK.
The company is still running but I'm not sure if they have any valuable assets. The criminal court ruled 1 year and 3 months imprisonment for the owner who is still in the UK.
The judgment was issued in 2013. Can I open a civil case now after 5 years? Does the judgment issued by the criminal court ever expire?
Thanks,
Moe

Sep 7, 2018
573
Legal action to claim pending invoices from a company
1
Q: Hello.
Mr R. and Mr Z. are founders of a company located in Ajman. They are buying my fish from Indonesia.
The total amount of 2 invoices is USD 11.074, but they paid me just USD 5.000 since 8 months ago.
Can you help me to collect my balance?
Thank you

Apr 1, 2018
2164
Recovery of funds from a customer for supply of goods
1
Q: We are a firm registered in India. We had supplied turmeric to a firm in Ajman. As per the terms of delivery, the payment was on the release of Delivery Order.
The CEO of the firm got the delivery order released in his favour without making the payment. Can your company help us in realising the payment?

Aug 28, 2019
459
Is the last shot rule accepted in the UAE?
1
Q: Dears - Please advise
Can the Last-Shot Rule be acceptable in the UAE as in any transaction?
The T&Cs of the party which refer to its T&Cs most recent one apply (only for straight forward quote vs PO cases).
If yes, kindly share the particular act.
Thanks

Mar 25, 2021
178
How to claim the remaining amounts unpaid by a company after delivery of goods



3
Q: Our company (Ajman Freezone) has delivered goods to a company in Mainland Dubai.
The payment terms agreed on 30% on order confirmation and 70% on delivery of goods to the warehouse in Dubai.
The customer paid 30% on the order confirmation and failed to settle the 70% on delivery of the goods to their warehouse. Upon confronting the customer that he failed to comply with the payment terms, he asked to pay in installments.
We agreed on five monthly installments and the customer confirmed the date and amount of the payments via email.
Oct 2020, November 2020, December 2020, January 2021 and February 2021.
He failed to pay December 2020, January 2021 and February 2021.
Since then he has been avoiding us, and only when we keep pressuring him, he pays small amounts, which are not equal to the monthly installments agreed upon.
The installments were confirmed, but not handed over as PDC.
Kindly advise what can be done in this case and if it is feasible to go to court.




Jun 27, 2021
818
A company received the products but did not pay. What to do?


1
Q: I have been supplying products to a company in Dubai since 2017. To date, I received no payment.
The CEO does not answer my calls or emails when I demand payment or return of my products.
Who can I speak to?
I am resident in South Africa.



Dec 7, 2021
305
Unauthorized use of free trial option and potential legal action

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well!
I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the unauthorized exploitation of our system's free trial option by an unknown individual who has been engaging in deceptive practices to gain access to our services.
As per our partner's recent findings, it has come to our attention that an individual has been repeatedly abusing our free trial option by utilizing various, email addresses, and mobile numbers to gain unauthorized access to our services.
It has been determined that this individual has been utilizing our facilities to engage in these activities. We don't have his personal details.
Our partner has provided evidence that supports the assertion that this unknown individual has been intentionally circumventing our terms of service and exploiting our free trial option for personal gain.


Feb 15, 2024
106
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allHow 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
717
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • 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
33071
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
75402
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
148548

Other answers by
Obtaining refund from the developer for project delay 11
I booked an off-plan studio in R.E.P. DIP. The developer posts to me the contract to sign. I signed the contract and posted it back to their address.
The texture property In Dubai has been dealing and I transferred 10% to reserve the unit in June 2015. I have paid over 30% until the end of Dec 2016.
I stopped paying the rest of instalments because after viewing 0% construction report through DLD website and neither developer has provided me Oqood.
There is still no construction as per the DLD report for project number 1514. I am considering to get a refund.
The total price of the studio is AED 330000. 10% at the outset, 36 equal instalments during construction, 20% on handover and 18 equal instalments after the handover.
I have paid 10% and 18 equal instalments out of 36 during the construction as per contract. Total AED 109,973.94 paid: AED 109,973.00
What are the possibilities to get a refund from the developer? How much would it cost?
Apr 19, 2018
5769
Consequences of filing a criminal case against a debtor by the bank 3
Hi,
I have just found out I have a police case filed by my bank on a credit card payment. I have a credit card with 25k limit and could not do minimum payments for 1 year (due to job loss), nevertheless, the bank filed a case against me for 190k.
I do not understand on what ground and would like to know what to do. As well, how can I find out if I have a travel ban as I would rather try and solve the situation remotely from home than be concerned that I will be jailed here?
Your advice is appreciated.
Jul 20, 2017
3777
Transfer of labour complaint from free zone to labour court 7
I was working in Free Zone company here in Sharjah. Our total delayed salary is 6 months. Some of my co-workers already complained in Free Zone immigration but no avail.
What is the best we can do where we will complain?
Waiting for your reply.
Jul 20, 2017
2687
What to do if you have credit card debts 0
Hi,
I am staying in Abu Dhabi with my husband & 7 years old daughter. My husband was working in a big construction company from the year 1996. In October 2015, he got terminated due to which he went in depression.
He got another job but due to depression, he was not going to work regularly. The company terminated him. He doesn't have a job for 2 months & he is not in the position to look for the job as he has depression again.
He was having 3 credit cards. During his first job, he paid regularly without any delays. But after this new job, he didn't pay on time & even for 2 cards we were unable to pay for around 1 year. For the third card after checking with the bank, we had made installments but now for past 3 months, we didn't pay for it.
I really don't know what to do. I am also working but my salary is good enough for the rent only. Nowadays, our friends are helping us for the daily needs even.
Kindly let me know what could be the possible solution for this & can I send my daughter to the home country?
Jul 24, 2017
2810
How to check why your visa application was rejected 148
How to check why my visa application was rejected for Abu Dhabi?
Jul 24, 2017
21144

Other answers by
A property is subleased without landlord's consent. How to evict subtenant? 2
Dear Consultant,
Good morning!
I have a rented property in Dubai. In March 2024, when I went to visit my flat, I found a subtenant inside. He informed me that he rented from "my tenant" and is paying on a monthly basis.
This occurred without my consent, and his cheques return unpaid. I have heard from my friend about many options to vacate my unit and sue the original tenant.
I would appreciate your advice on the subject matter as a consultant.
Many thanks!
Apr 11, 2024
137
إلغاء الاتفاق واسترداد المبالغ المدفوعة لشقة قيد الإنشاء 1
أود الاستفسار عن رسوم مقاضاة مطور عقاري اشتريت منه وحدتين عقاريتين.
تم دفع 30% من قيمة العقار + جميع رسوم دائرة الأراضي والأملاك ولكن منذ 7 أشهر يماطل المطور في تسليمي العقد. ولا أعتقد بأن المبالغ المدفوعة تم إيداعها في حساب الضمان.
أيضاً، المشروع متأخر والثاني لم يبدأ بعد مع أنه من خلال نموذج الحجز مذكور بأن عمليات الإنشاء بدأت والتسليم في ديسمبر 2019.
أريد رفع دعوى لفسخ العقد وإرجاع جميع المبالغ المدفوعة. هل الدعوى مضمونة؟
لا أريد تضييع الوقت في تقديم شكاوى لدائرة الأراضي والأملاك.
وأنا من إمارة أخرى وليس لي الوقت للذهاب إلى دبي للشكوى ومراجعتهم. أريد توكيل محامي مختص للانتهاء من الأمر.
Feb 10, 2019
2688
The possibility of appealing a jail sentence for bounced cheques 1
Hi,
I needed to know if the court issues a judgment of 2 or 3 months jail term in cheque bounce case, is there a way to reverse the judgment or avoid the sentence? Possibly if the creditor withdraws the case?
I have received a judgment of a jail term of 2 months for AED 1 Million security cheque bounce against a loan that is 75% paid off and a 3 months jail term for multiple cheques to a single supplier valued at AED 48,000.00 approx.
What can I do avoid jail terms and wondering how AED 48k cumulative value would result in jail term?
Appreciate a solution for this.
Thanks.
Oct 7, 2018
3888
Liability of a guarantor after the debtor fled the country 12
Hello
I signed as a guarantor for a person's company loan for AED 500,000.
The person is no longer in the country and now there is a civil case on me.
What is the penalty or jail term I would be looking at?
If I go through the jail term, is the outstanding amount is also cleared?
Oct 9, 2018
7524
هل يعتبر إنهاء عقد العمل غير محدد المدة فصلاً تعسفياً؟ 2
تحية وبعد،
إنهاء عقد عمل موظف غير محدد المدة بدون سبب، هل يعتبر تعسفي؟
Oct 2, 2018
1229

Premium
Other answers by
I have a case running in court and I am afraid the debtor will flee the UAE. Will a travel ban be automatically placed? 0
I filed a money claim above AED 10,000 (but will probably be above AED 50,000 if capital + dividends are combined) against someone in Abu Dhabi.
The mediation time has elapsed, 2 court sessions have been done, and the defendant still hasn’t shown up or appeared in either of those. In the last/latest court session, the judge said that the defendant is still inside the UAE.
About the travel ban, is it automatically applied to him because of the case, or do I have to ask/request it to be applied to him through the Abu Dhabi court?
May 2, 2025
22
Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
17
كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
17
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
20
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
50
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