Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allWhat can be done if your customer is not paying your invoices?
10
Q: My firm (based in the UK) is owed $57,500 for providing materials and event management services for a Dubai-based business called International Premier Tennis League.
They have failed to pay my invoice or any of the individual skilled craftsmen and technicians I recommended they hired to deliver the events which we delivered in December 2016.
What I'd like to do is recover my money and possibly make sure that the business behaviour of the IPTL management team is not repeated (it must be a crime to commit business services to a project without ever having the means to pay for it).
Any help or advice appreciated, please.

Jun 13, 2017
13365
Claiming unpaid fees for services provided to a company

2
Q: Respected Sir / Ma'am,
I am an IT service provider. I got a project from one of the companies in Abu Dhabi to perform a System Implementation.
I have completed the project and have raised the invoice for the same, but the customer is not paying the amount. It amounts to about 30000 USD.
I am calling for a Steering Committee meeting as per the contract/proposal terms to resolve the issue of not paying me. The IT team, to whom I am reporting is just not letting the Steering Committee meeting to happen.
I have other projects running in parallel with the same client. I have issued a "Credit Hold" and stopped all activities with proper notice and have all details on email communication. Still, they are not calling for a meeting / trying to resolve the issue...
What are my options to recover the amount? If at all I have to hire a lawyer, what will be the costs for the same?
Would appreciate your advice/recommendations greatly.
Thanks and regards,
Raj


May 6, 2018
1182
Debt claim from a company owner after the job is done
2
Q: I run an architectural firm in London, UK. One of our clients is a property broker based in Dubai who also has a UK based company that was set up specifically to pay our fees.
He is the director of the UK company as well as the Dubai company. His company is refusing to pay us £12,000 that has been owed for work we completed over 12 months ago.
Is it possible to lodge a claim against him personally in Dubai as I have a feeling he will just shut down his UK company if I pursue it through the UK courts?
If so, what is the process and how much would the legal and court fees be?
We have a contract signed by him, but on behalf of his UK company, and a lot of correspondences between us and his company trying to recover the money.

Jul 26, 2018
941
Legal blog
3 available 3 • 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
How to Get Paid if You Are a Small Business? 6
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.
Feb 15, 2021
509
Payment Orders in the UAE 4
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.
Mar 24, 2021
1380
Laws & Regulations
4 available 4 • View allFederal 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
148545
Federal 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
75401
Federal Law No. (10) of 1992 On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions 14
The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.
Jan 15, 1992
19131

Other answers by
When to claim an inheritance in Dubai while being abroad and which law is applied ? 2
Dear sir/madam,
I would like someone to be honest with me. I am in the UK. How long have I got to claim inheritance in Dubai?
I was reading in the Gulf News that the laws of the country of the deceased at the time of death can be applied regarding the will.
Is this true or false? I am really looking for these two questions to be answered first. Can anyone help me with this, please?
Mar 25, 2022
487
I seek to cancel a purchased property and get refund for delay in handover 0
Dear Advocate Sweta Singh,
I am from India and in Sep 2018, I purchased an apartment in a hotel. The hotel has not been completed and the delay is more than a year.
They have not paid any compensation as per the contract, nor do they talk about it. I have paid more than 80% in installments and paying it regularly.
Please help me, guide me on how to cancel the deal and get a full refund, or any other way which helps me recover my investment.
Regards
Mar 9, 2022
383
Is it possible to apply a will issued in South Africa in the UAE? 1
Dear questioner,
My father (Muslim) has passed away in South Africa. He leaves behind 4 children, his wife (our mother) and his own mother.
He had a will for South Africa in which, I (oldest son) am executor. The will does state that it encompasses all property and assets wherever they may be.
He has various properties and assets in the UAE. My questions are:
1. Does his will have power in the UAE or will it be divided by Sharia?
2. What documents are required to wind up his estate?
3. What is the wind-up process within the UAE?
Feb 22, 2022
504
How to access the bank account of my son who passed away recently? 1
My son tragically died in Dubai and his salary has been paid into a UAE HSBC bank account.
My daughter also lives in Dubai and has an HSBC account.
How can I access my Son's bank account, please?
I live in the UK.
Feb 17, 2022
399
How can we access the bank account of a deceased person? 0
My uncle died 2 weeks ago in one of the private hospitals here in Dubai.
We have already completed everything regarding the repatriation of his body with the help of his employer and his remains are already sent back to our home country last week.
He used to give me an access of his ATM card before and I tried to access it just few days ago and I found out that there is some amount of money left on his bank account.
I am aware that he has some pending bank loan requests before he died, so I am afraid that amount might be the reason of such big amount.
Being the only family member of my deceased uncle, what should I do in order to make sure that the amount is from his savings and not from his bank loans?
In case the amount is proved to be his own savings, is there any chance for me to get the authorization to claim that amount from the bank to be used by his family?
He has a wife with 3 kids back home.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Feb 10, 2022
322

Other answers by
How to sue a stocks trading company and claim back invested money 2
Hi Lawyers,
A lot of people had invested in a Forex trading company based in the UAE.
Do we need to get a lawyer to file a case or can we report it to the police station to summon the party involved so they can settle and refund our money back?
Please help us.
Thank you!
Dec 21, 2021
1363
Transferring the employees to a new company without paying the gratuity 1
Hi,
My company in DMCC is planning to shut down. They are not willing to pay us the gratuity.
They have offered the remaining staff, including me, to be transferred to a new company they are opening soon.
Is there any way we can get a continuation of the contract in order not to lose our gratuity in the long run?
We have all been in the company for more than 8 years now.
Many thanks,
Nov 10, 2021
746
A rented premises is sealed by the court. How can the landlord get it back? 1
We have an enforcement order against our company due to a commercial case in Dubai courts filed by one of our creditors and the office is sealed by the court.
The Ejari for the office has expired, in the meanwhile, the real estate is asking me to hand over the office or face another rental case as we are still liable for the rent.
The civil case matter is involving a large sum of money which the company is not in a position to pay right now but does not want to be liable for another court case.
Is there a way for the landlord to get their premises back?
How long would the court keep the premises sealed until their next step?
Oct 19, 2021
729
How to reduce a jail sentence judgment for smoking weed to a fine? 5
Why is the sentence for smoking weed fine and deportation in Dubai while it's two years and deportation in Abu Dhabi?
Can the sentence be appealed and reduced?
How can we get the name of the accused on the pardon list?
Sep 1, 2021
831
The rights of an employee upon resignation due to salary delay for 8 months 2
My friend was working in a Hamriyah Free Zone company for two years.
His contract expiry date is 13th Aug 2021. He has requested not to renew his contract further as his company has not paid his salary for 8 months.
Aug 11, 2021
464

Other answers by
How can I file for divorce in the UAE as an Indian Christian with a son, and ensure custody? 1
Hi, good morning,
I’m an Indian residing in the UAE and want to apply for a divorce. My husband and I have been living separately for more than 3 years, and he has been living in India since our separation.
We are both Indians and Christians (non-Muslims). We have a son who is 8 years old now. Can you please let me know the divorce procedure if we want to proceed in the UAE, both with and without mutual consent?
Additionally, please advise on how to proceed with custody, as my son currently resides with me.
Thank you!
Aug 28, 2024
177
How to transfer the shares of a company from his heirs to the partners? 0
A company is registered in a free zone (Dubai South) and had 4 shareholders.
But now one of them passed away and the successor is a very old lady, who is not cooperative and will not be able to sign any document at all (and she lives in another country).
We have no idea who will be a successor after this old lady and these people will in fact never be interested to do anything with this company.
The company is financed and managed by only one shareholder, who is willing to continue.
What can be done in this scenario to keep this company and continue operations?
How to transfer the shares of the deceased shareholder (buyout, shares transfer)?
Is there any court procedure where if no one claims their rights after some time, the shares will automatically be transferred to the company itself or the third parties?
Thank you.
A.
May 15, 2023
118
My flatmate took a video of my visitor in the toilet half naked without permission 1
My flatmate took a video of my visitor in the toilet half-naked without permission and shared it with another person, and accusing me of taking another nationality which is untrue.
What will be the cases to file a case?
May 12, 2023
254
Retrieving a passport from a car impounded for driving without a license 1
Hi sir,
I drive a car in Ajman without a license. On a visit visa those days, Ajman police caught me and I forgot my passport and other belongings in the car.
They impounded the car, so how can I get my passport back from the car?
My case is finished.
How do I get my passport back so I can apply for a visa and then a job?
Please suggest me.
Thanks!
May 2, 2023
143
What is the time limit to execute a judgment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
Time limit to execute a judgment.
I won a court case about 5 years ago. I still did not register an execution lawsuit.
What is the maximum permitted time limit between the verdict and registration of the related execution lawsuit?
Apr 27, 2023
811

Premium
Other answers by
Can a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
113
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
114
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 1
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
136
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
72
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 1
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
96
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