Q: We received an LPO to execute a project with a specific material recommended by the client who gave us an LPO but now after shipping the materials to UAE, they are not accepting the material and they are asking for a change of material. From our side, it is impossible to return the material as we have made payments and we cannot send it back. We are holding the materials for almost 3 months now in a warehouse and we are totally stuck. We have shipped the material only with written approval and confirmation from the client and there is no cancellation clause stated in the LPO as well. The material contributes to 85% of the project value. What would be the best thing to do in this scenario?

Q: Hi, We run a small consulting and design firm in Cape Town, South Africa. We recently were commissioned by a client in Dubai to develop their brand strategy and revise their website. The last 25% payment is due and the client refuses to release this payment. It's a small amount of around $2500. What are our options without finding ourselves in debt? Thank you

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

Q: I run a technical services LLC company in Dubai. A construction company had not paid us our work payment. So I left the work and made a court case for the recovery but my case was refused by the court. Now that the company revengefully made a false court case against my company and is claiming recovery of 70000 dirhams because of leaving work, today is my hearing. I already stopped all work in my company due to huge losses. My trade license is already expired and my visa is about to expire on 11.3.24. I will cancel my visa also. In this condition, what should I do? Please advise and help me. M.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.