Q: We are food bloggers and were invited by a restaurant to review their food. Once we arrived, the owner said she did not know of this. When we showed her the written confirmation from her husband she refused to accept it. They wasted our time and money, making us come all the way to her restaurant just to be told to get out. She was becoming hostile so my sister took out her phone to take a video of her screaming at us. But when the lady noticed the phone she attacked my sister. She pulled and scratched her very badly. She left a big mark on my sister’s arm. When the police came we were told to delete the video which we did in front of them itself. Once the police left, she threatened us that if we ever mention this to someone, post about it on Instagram, or leave a bad review on Zomato, that they will take us to court. Can she do this? I only want to write an honest review on Zomato where I explain our situation and post the pictures of my sisters arm. Or can she make a case on us?

Q: Dear Madam, I am from Oman. I made an agreement with a UAE based company for migration purpose. If they failed the process they should have refunded my advance amount. But they are stating different reasons now. it's already 2 months over. Two days before I saw on a website (pissed customer) similar reasons posted by somebody. I also commented there and the same person who talked to me happened same with him also. Now, this company is telling me I am defaming the company so they will not refund the amount. Also, they will take this to legal (Dubai cybercrime law article 20). I didn't mention any lie. I just said the same person was dealing with me also, took my money and not responding now. That's it. Please give an answer whether they can make a complaint against me or not? Your answer will be highly appreciated.

Q: Hi! If I got an awful service in a beauty salon in Dubai. Do I have right to write my feedback about this salon on their Facebook page, Google page or anywhere on social media? If not, then what is the legal way against such bad services and how to warn my friends to avoid this place?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I recently wrote a bad review on Google about my former employer (a clinic). I wrote about its micromanagement and toxic work environment. Everything I wrote was 100% true, and I did not violate any confidentiality or publish any false information. Now, my former employer has threatened to sue me for defamation. They say I will be sentenced to jail or fined. Is this legally true? Am I really in trouble?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am running a clinic in Dubai. I hired a doctor a few months ago. She failed to perform the work for which she was hired, so I fired her. Now she is giving fake reviews on Google. She is also doing this with her friends. I have contacted her, but she has left the country. Please advise what we can do! Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can a clinic and a doctor sue me for defamation if I mention the doctor's name in a negative review of the clinic on Google Maps? Also if they were to proceed with legal action, as they are threatening to do so if I don’t take the review down, how would that affect me as I am not a resident in Dubai and only visit once every 6 months?

Q: Hi, We own a small pet shop business in Dubai, and a customer posted an extremely damaging Google review, advising people not to use our services. She was initially very pleased after her dog was groomed, paid for the service, and even thanked the groomer for the excellent job—all of which we have on CCTV. However, a few days later, she posted a terrible review, shouted at our staff, left a threatening voicemail, and declared online that no one should use our services. What action can we take against her as this is so damaging to a small business in a small community? Thank you in advance for any advice!

The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.

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.