Q: Hello, I have a customer to whom our dues are AED 125,000. Our terms were set for a 30-Day PDC, but they have not been able to fulfil it. Since many months they have been giving false promises to release my payments, but we have not yet received any. I would like to know the legal charges and court charges to send them a notice.

Q: We are a software company who have signed a contract with a client. The contract expired in Nov. 2015. We continued to work with the client on the project. We received 5 payments out of 7 payments that were due. Each payment was linked to a milestone in the project. Now the client claims the software solution is not up to the quality they want and they want to sue us for damages. In the contract, we have a clause that says they can sue for a maximum of 50% of the money they paid us. However, each of the 5 payments they made were linked to a milestone of the project contract and the payments that were made were approved by their managers who now claim that the software quality has an issue. Are they entitled to sue for damages? How can we best protect ourselves?

Q: Hello Ma'am, I am an advocate from Mumbai, India. A group company based out of Abu Dhabi, UAE had availed services from a company registered in India (registered as a small enterprise under Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act) ("Client"). Accordingly, the Indian Client Company raised invoices for services rendered. However, the UAE Group Company failed to pay the invoice amounts. The Indian Client Company wants to initiate litigation in Abu Dhabi, UAE to recover money under the invoices issued. May I kindly request your advice on how can the Indian Client Company proceed under UAE law? Also, is there any special forum for Small and Medium Enterprises in the UAE to adjudicate upon such disputes and if the Indian registered Client Company may in any way proceed before this special forum?

Q: I have a client based out of Al Ain, for whom we had done a project. They have defaulted on payments and have now encashed our guarantee cheques despite us completing the job well. What options do I have to recover our payments?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, How can we get a company to pay us for the services provided? We are a medical center in Abu Dhabi that provided round-the-clock PCR services to the staff of a Marine company in Abu Dhabi between July and November 2022. The credit period for payment has expired more than 4 months ago, and the company has not provided any updates regarding our outstanding payment of over 100,000 AED.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What procedures should an LLC follow to file for an outstanding payment? What steps should an LLC take when filing? In the case of a legal notice for outstanding payment, which sections of the law should be mentioned?

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: Dear Sir/Madam, I worked as a graphic designer for a crypto project, and the company is registered in Dubai. Last July and August, I sent my work at the end of each month as usual. The person responsible for the company owns an Emirati residency permit but currently lives in Austria. When I made the deal, he instructed me to wait for the payment and provided various excuses to avoid paying me the total amount of $4400. Since then, every month, I have been sending messages to the team requesting my payment, but I only receive excuses. Last month, I sent him a message, and he disrespected me as a woman. He informed me that the project is dead, and he won't pay. However, the company is still active and registered in Dubai. I have all the proofs, including chats and screenshots. I feel scammed, and this situation is negatively impacting my mental health as it is unfair. My question is, can I report him to ensure he pays me? Is there anything I can do? No official contract was signed from their side; I only have WhatsApp and Telegram conversations.

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.

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of payment orders in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

تبرز الحاجة عند وجود تعاملات بين الشركات التجارية والأفراد لإيجاد طريقة ناجعة وسريعة لتحصيل الحقوق للدائنين، ومنها أوامر الأداء. الأصل حق الدائن في الالتجاء إلى المحكمة للمطالبة بحقه قبل خصمه، و الاستثناء الالتجاء إلى طريق استصدار أمر الأداء. وقد أجاز المشرع الإماراتي لكل من لدية سند دين مستحق الأداء ومعلوم المقدار وغير معلق على شرط أن يسلك طريق أمر الأداء لإقتضاء حقه.

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.

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.

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.