Q: Hi, I lost my job a year ago and I have an outstanding credit card of AED 300k. I've missed the last 9 monthly payments (I am negotiating directly with the bank). I am willing to settle the credit card with one lump sum payment that a friend will lend me. How much discount on the balance of AED 300k can I negotiate to settle the matter? Should I also ask for a clearance/ no liability letter?

Q: I am looking to hire a lawyer to defend a civil case for a credit card. I have an unpaid outstanding credit card in the UAE. I no longer live in the UAE and I desperately need legal advice on how to approach this and how to settle the outstanding debt once and for all. The bank has sent many emails threatening with civil action and a "lifetime" GCC travel ban. In the next few months, I believe I can clear up the outstanding account but I need to know if it is still possible to settle the debt without criminal charges, I am scared that I am already banned from traveling and will be arrested at the airport if I ever return to Dubai. Is it best to hire a lawyer to deal with this since I am not in the UAE?

Q: Hi Mr Hari I have had a cheque bounce with one of the banks in Dubai which was an inbuilt cheque in credit card application. They had submitted a police case against me in April 2018. I was taken at Al Ragga police station. asked to pay AED 2000 fine. I was presented in front of the public prosecutor. I accepted that I am unable to pay the credit card amount and the bank did not tell me that they are submitting the cheque. I paid the fine on-spot and the passport was given to me. I also got my Police Clearance Certificate. Now to my surprise, after all this pain and harassment, the credit card fellow and so-called collecting agent are threatening to do a civil case. They are saying we will cancel all the extra interest charged on the card amount. Just clear the basic card value. I told them I was paying minimum payments earlier as well. But the bank did such a wrong thing by declaring me absconding. I have given 4 good years to this country. Please advise. If I do not take their calls and threats, what will be the worst case scenario?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the minimum amount of bad debt in the UAE for credit cards? Is 6,000 considered bad debt? And after how many missed payments is someone considered a defaulter?

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.

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.

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.