Q: Hello I am writing to ask about a civil case, I recently went on maternity leave and my company does not pay a salary in this period. The bank filed a criminal case so I was stopped at the airport on arrival and processed at the police station. The next day I went in front of a judge who asked if I had the money to pay at that time or pay a fine, so I paid the AED 10000 fine. It's been almost 3 months and the bank keeps increasing my debt (my account is on minus). Question is, should I go to court again to ask them to get the bank to issue a clearance certificate or what should I do?

Q: I already had a police case from the bank and I paid the fine at the police station. My case was removed. Now the bank is telling me they will file a civil case. Does the bank usually file a civil case if the amount is 100,000? If they will, is it the same process as the police case that just needs to pay the fine and the case is done?

Q: I have been already arrested for a cheque bounce, paid fine to the court and get released. The cheque amount is 35000. Now the bank is asking me again 57000 and wants to make it one installment or, maximum, six installments; 5800 monthly. It is impossible; my salary is just 8000. I have family and kids. They are now forcing that they will take action against me in my home country. They are threatening my parents in my home country. Please help me!

Q: Hi Mam, I had a bounced cheque criminal case, but I have paid the fine and got the clearance letter from Dubai Prosecution for the case. Is that ok or do I need to remove my name from somewhere else as I am traveling to the UAE and wanted to know if I will have any issues? Looking forward to your guidance. Thanks for your support.

Q: Hello, I am not currently in Dubai. I have two cases of bounced cheques. I need a lawyer to push them into fines so I can pay for them and fly back into the country. Kindly let me know the cost of doing this!

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

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

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.

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 provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.