Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allCivil claim against a contractor for delay in house renovation

6
Q: Hello,
My husband and I awarded one of Dubai's contractors to do renovation in our apartment. We paid him 50% in advance according to the contract signed between us.
We paid another 20% after some time in response to his request to have an additional amount to buy the materials.
The renovation was supposed to be completed in one month, yet, 2 months and a half already passed and the contractor has not even bought the material he promised (tiles, sanitary-ware... etc.).
He promises but not delivering, postponing payments in all possible ways. Suppliers of the materials confirmed that payments had not been made by the contractor.
We have a clause of damage liquidating (contractor needs to pay 1000 AED/day), but he doesn't seem to take it seriously.
What is the best way to deal with this problem?
If we take him to court, how much do we need to pay for the file opening?
What damages he will experience - license termination?
How quick can we have the money back?
BR, J.


Dec 30, 2020
1821
Filing civil case to recover security cheque for unjust enrichment
1
Q: I have signed a contract with a contractor to carry out AC works where the owner of the company has paid me cash with a payment voucher and he asked to provide a security deposit cheque.
My scope of work was supposed to be finished in 45 days but delayed due to civil works for more than 4 months, in the interim we have continued to work and finished the works and started the equipment.
Our final bill is linked with authority approvals which cannot be accomplished without civil works. I have asked the contractor to pay the VAT and amount for variation which he failed to do so.
After 4 months the contractor called to resume the works where I have rejected as he failed to fulfil the contractual obligations. I've written a letter to the owner that I will take legal action if he misuses the cheque.
The owner deposited my security cheque and filed a case. If I file a civil case against the owner, am I entitled to get losses incurred due to damaging my relation with the bank and other legal expenses?

Nov 10, 2018
631
Performance of contractual obligation and delay in the process
2
Q: A Sub-Contractor (SC) holds/stops the work highlighting Article 246 & 247 [UAE Civil Code] due to payment delayed (Advance & Interim Payments) by the Main Contractor (MC).
But the Main Contractor's concern is the document required to process Advance Payment [i.e. Advance Bank Guarantee - ABG] was not submitted on time & LC draft issued to SC was not agreed on time due to several arguments on some of its content.
The MC paid the SC Advance Payment in 90 days from receipt of ABG highlighting the delay in reallocating the fund due to delay in ABG submission & LC draft agreement.
Whose argument will withstand moving forward if MC intends to impose delay penalty on SC?
Please advise.
Thank you

Mar 2, 2019
749
The breach of contract with a builder and legal action for delay in delivery



1
Q: Dear Lawyer,
We are 18 landowners 200 yards each entered into a development agreement with a builder on 2/2014.
Then conditions are that the builder in his share of 50:50 can construct flats and sell. With a GPA fraudulently obtained, 18 months time with a grace period of 6 months to complete and handover fully furnished the flats.
In case of delay, a rent of 6000 per month and 3 lakhs refundable deposit are to be paid to each landowner.
The builder neither handed over the flats (60% built) nor paying rent or deposit of 3 lakhs. Electricity meters are fixed on our name and we are all paying minimum charges.
The builder is not responding to our phone calls nor attending meetings whenever called for. The builder sold his share of flats.
Please advise me the best.
L.




Sep 14, 2021
602
Is it possible to file a suit in Dubai against a company from Italy?
1
Q: Good morning,
Is it possible to file a suit in Dubai against a company from Italy that doesn’t complete the contract agreement?
I am a resident of Dubai.

Sep 1, 2021
389
A contractor breaches his obligations of apartment renovation. What to do?
3
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I engaged a general contractor to help renovate my apartment. It has now been over 4 months. I have major issues with the bathrooms (leaks, incorrect installation). In addition, he has used real cheap quality material which is scratched and has a horrible finish.
Finally, I have a long list of items still not complete. He has been promising for the past 3 weeks that someone will come to review and correct but no one has come and every day I have a new excuse.
I paid him 90% of the money as he talked a good game. I would welcome some advice on the best course of action to move forward.

Apr 10, 2022
379
Dealing with a pool contractor who used faulty materials causing leak?

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am looking for some advice.
Twelve months ago, we hired a contractor to install a concrete pool. To date, we haven't been able to use the pool due to a leak. They keep trying to "fix" it, but I have no confidence in them anymore.
Last week, another contractor came to the villa to look at it testing some of the fittings that I thought could be the reason. He removed some of the fittings and gave me a gut-wrenching comment.
The concrete used for the pool is, in his opinion, "not good."
What course of action can I take now?
I obviously need to get the pool fixed, but I'm assuming the contractor won't accept liability.
Can I involve the DM (Department of Municipality)?


Apr 30, 2023
127
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allContracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1177
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • 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
148713

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Canceling my MoU and getting my deposit back due to a low bank valuation and overpriced property 1
Hi,
I wanted to purchase a 2-bedroom apartment in JVC Dubai. I gave a 10% security deposit cheque to the seller. The price mentioned in the MoU is very high compared to other similar apartments in the same building.
The bank’s valuation also came in very low. Since the valuation is much lower, how can I terminate the MoU and get my cheque back? The MoU ends on 1st October 2024.
One of the articles in the MoU states:
In the event that the Buyer fails to make the payments as agreed or fails to complete the transfer on the agreed date due to his own acts or omissions, the Seller has the right to terminate this agreement and retain the deposit, provided that the termination is due to a violation of the agreed terms, unless both parties agree amicably to different dates.
I need help urgently.
Sep 16, 2024
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Absent repeatedly due to salary delays. Can the company terminate them without EOSB? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
There is an employee who has been absent repeatedly. However, the company is not paying salaries on time, with regular delays in salary payments.
Can the company terminate the employee without end-of-service or notice period compensation if the employee cites occasional salary delays as the reason for their absences?
Jun 4, 2024
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If staff did not come back from vacation, after how long can we terminate him/her? 3
If staff did not come back from vacation, after how long can we terminate him/her?
May 9, 2024
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I was married in Abu Dhabi last year at the family court, is my marriage certificate valid in the US? 0
I was married in Abu Dhabi last year at the family court, is my marriage certificate valid in the US?
Jan 26, 2024
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How is the probation period calculated exactly from the date of signing the contract? 0
Regarding the probation period, when is the deadline for an employer to terminate me if the DOJ anniversary is Friday 2nd Feb?
Will the six-month period end at midnight on the 1st, therefore completing six months, or can the employer still terminate on the 2nd?
Appreciate any guidance provided.
Jan 26, 2024
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What to do if the bank guarantee provided to Dubai Government Authority has been misplaced? 0
“The guarantee is valid until 24.11.2021 and shall, before expiry, be automatically renewed until advised by you that the contract has been fulfilled.
We have received an email from the Dubai Government Authority stating that the Original Bank guarantee has been misplaced, along with the reason that, due to the COVID period, many staff were working remotely at home, and the Dubai Government Authority has sent NOC for the release of the bank guarantee stating that"
“Kindly release the bank guarantee No..... as the supplier has fulfilled the condition of the contract without any claim.”
Further, the applicant has provided an undertaking cum indemnity to cancel the bank guarantee and release the underlying cash margin.
So in the above case, the applicant has given the undertaking cum indemnity and beneficiary also confirmed by email that they have lost the guarantee so in such case.
What further action does the bank need to take?
Being the government authority, the bank may get less support in terms of documentation, so please advise.
Jun 23, 2025
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How to get legal help with drafting a memo for a family case in cassation? 0
I need help drafting a cassation memo for submission to the Abu Dhabi Court in a family case. I already have all the documents.
Since there's no hearing at this stage, I don’t need full legal representation—just memo drafting. My ex-wife is claiming 2024–25 school fees, though child support is already granted.
First instance rejected her claim, but the appeal overturned it and ordered me to pay 16,000 AED.
I want to file a cassation due to legal errors and flawed reasoning in the appeal judgment. My budget is limited.
Jun 23, 2025
13
Can we file a case against a customer who launched a campaign online against our business reputation? 0
Hello,
A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai.
The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking.
The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund.
The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused.
The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings.
Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?
Jun 11, 2025
90
Can I go without the bailiff to receive the keys of my house from the tenant based on a court judgment? 0
Hi,
My tenant was not paying rent, so I filed a case and won it. The court has given a bailiff eviction date of 7th July. The tenant also has outstanding rent plus court fees to pay.
The tenant called me and proposed an out-of-court settlement. She is offering to hand over the keys today, along with her furniture, to compensate for the outstanding rent.
I don't trust the tenant as she has lied many times. She's asking me to come visit the apartment to look at the furniture and take the keys.
1. Please advise if it's ok to visit the apartment and take the keys and furniture without involving the bailiff. Do I need to report the furniture adjustment against the rent due to the court?
2. Can she create any other problem on my physical visit, although I have WhatsApp messages of her request?
3. Can she request payment installments from the court if I don't agree to take her furniture?
4. Can I write down the settlement with her on a plain piece of paper with her signature?
Jun 18, 2025
51
How can we remove a partner from the license if he is present but unresponsive? 0
Good day!
One of our partners on the license has not been in communication since November 2024.
He is also in Dubai but is not answering phone calls or replying to messages.
What is the procedure to remove his name from the license in this situation without his absence?
Please advise!
Jun 2, 2025
33

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How to take a legal action after being scammed by an individual and a corrupt lawyer? 1
Hello,
We have been scammed by an individual who did not provide the stated service. They took a lot of money and important documents. I have audio recordings of him talking about these things.
We had a bad lawyer in Iraq who stole property by forging documents. This man said he had many connections to help us. While it was true that he had connections, he didn’t actually help us.
Instead, he cooperated with the bad lawyer, agreed with him, and gave the bad lawyer all our important documents.
Dec 24, 2024
447
What is the difference between filing a criminal case or a financial case for business fraud? 1
Dear Lawyers,
What is the difference between filing a criminal case or a financial case for business fraud?
Can both be done through a lawyer?
Thank you!
Sep 24, 2024
119
How to recover my money after my 2008 property purchase was canceled? 1
Hi,
I purchased a property in 2008 and have now discovered that it has been canceled. I have all the documents and payment records.
Can you please help me recover it? If not, how can I recover my money?
Thank you!
Aug 26, 2024
143
Can I apply for a residence visa after availing the amnesty program? 1
Dear Lawyers,
In case the person avails the amnesty facility and does not want to return to his home country, but wishes to stay in the UAE, can he apply for a residence visa?
Aug 29, 2024
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How can I recover my money with a hold on my account due to a remitting bank request? 1
Hello experts,
I have a hold on my bank account even though I have shared all the requested documents with the bank proving that the money belongs to me. However, they keep insisting that the remitting bank requested a recall.
Today, I received a notice of account closure from my bank. When I inquired about the amount on hold, I was informed that only the available balance will be issued via a manager's check.
The issue has been ongoing for almost 5 months now. Any advice on how to get my money back, please?
Aug 27, 2024
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