Q: Hi All, I have an existing criminal "cheque bounce" case under my name for dishonoring loan payments. I'm also a victim of unpaid salaries and gratuity from the previous employer. However, I have reached a stalemate in negotiating with the bank as they are not interested in accepting the money I could offer in the interim despite having a clear understanding of my predicament. Finally, I have an offer from a company after all these months and I'm anticipating to accept this offer but I'm yet to resolve the criminal case! Since the bank is not willing to negotiate, I've planned to pay the criminal case removal fee or fine to the Dubai Police. I know that the bank would immediately proceed with a civil case should that happen. My question is how long does it take to file a civil case? And can they initiate a travel ban without appeal while filing the civil case in court? Will it affect my capacity to get a new employment visa stamped and work in the UAE while the civil case is active?

Q: Good day! I have a loan and credit card with a bank in the UAE which I have defaulted on the payments for the last 8 months because I am unemployed, and currently in India. My security cheque amounted AED 35,000 was deposited and bounced, and now I have a police case and a ban on my name. I got a new job offer and my employer is not able to fix an employment visa for me because of this police case and ban. I tried to get a settlement deal with the NBFC, but it is not ending up with a good deal. So how can I overcome this issue to clear the police case? Is there any agency that can handle this on behalf of me to clear the police case and ban in court? Kindly advise

Q: I defaulted on a loan plus credit cards. I have left UAE almost a year ago and stopped paying my loan and credit cards. The security check I have issued was AED 350,000 but the outstanding loan amount was only 181,000. Now I got a job offer and I am trying to discuss with the bank the settlement plan. The bank advised me that the total outstanding including two credit cards is 240,000. They are not cooperative and do not respond on time. If I sign the employment contract and travel to the UAE, what are my chances? 1. Will it be possible to be jailed? Denied a work permit or employment visa? 2. Will it be possible for me to negotiate an installment plan with the bank or pay fine and get released? Please advise! Thanks

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

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 Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).