Q: Hi, I was laid off in June 2020 during COVID19 and had credit cards in several banks. I had to leave the country but was still paying the banks up until September 2021. So I was getting calls from the bank, and the last one was maybe in December 2021. A new law came into effect this January, so the cheque bounce was decriminalized but the civil case is still there and a new option of some kind of execution is also there now. I don't know if I got any cheque bounce, do I get a notification on my email or SMS on my mobile? (My mobile is still active and I am outside of Dubai since then). Also, want to ask- under the new rule does the execution smth can lead to imprisonment and/or a travel ban? And if yes then for how long? Will I be able to come to Dubai and find a job if the execution case is there? Thank you

Q: Dear Samira, I've taken a loan from a bank via credit card. I came back to my country and due to the COVID situation, I lost my job. Now I want to come back to Dubai but I didn't pay the loan and payments are pending for the last 3 months. Can you please help me with how I can sort out this matter? Thank you

Q: Hi everyone. I need help regarding a criminal case. I lost my job years ago in Dubai and while in the search for a new job, my passport expired in that period. I came to my country to renew it and meanwhile, after only 3 weeks of not paying the monthly installment, the bank opened a criminal case against me. I couldn’t return and all the debt collectors threatened me for months. Besides the abusive way, and the short timing of action of the bank against me, I wish to return to Dubai. I need a safe way but I am not able to pay the bank until I find a job there. Is it enough only to pay the fine to the police? What are the steps to arrive safely there? I need clear and good advice and future collaboration with a lawyer also. Thank you

Q: Hello, Please help, I was not able to pay my loan within 3 months for the amount of 841 monthly, because I had to undergo a major caesarian operation. The balance amount of my loan is only like 17 thousand, and the bank deposited the 40,400 security cheque on my account so it will be bounced. I can arrange the overdue balance, but the fines of the bounced cheque they raised are giving me a heavy load to settle. They keep adding interest on my payment since before, even when I'm paying monthly regularly. Please help and advise. They said they will proceed to court. The interest is giving me too much heavy financial crisis.

Q: Hi, I have an outstanding loan of 150,000 in Dubai but I am no longer working in Dubai and currently looking for a job in my home country. My intention is to pay the installment amount in a timely manner but I want the bank to decrease the interest charges. Is it possible for the bank to do so?

Q: Dear sir/madam, What is the process to release someone from a court case, especially in a cheque bounce case? I want to settle with him.

Q: Dear Team, I have an issue with my credit card, which was issued in 2013 and I used the same till 2018, all the payments had done on time. Unfortunately, last time in 2018, I was troubled by a financial crisis. Due to the same, I had some amount pending on my credit card, and in 2018, I went to my home country as I lost my job. This year, two months back, I came back to UAE. Now the bank team is asking for a huge amount for the settlement. Could you please advise me on how to close this case with the fine by the court?

Q: I obtained a loan and also used credit cards from three different banks before leaving Dubai, UAE. The total amount is AED 200,000/-. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to make timely repayments and find myself in a challenging financial situation. However, I am now determined to fulfil my financial obligations and settle the outstanding loan amount. As I am still actively seeking employment, I am unable to pay the full amount in one lump sum. I have approached the bank with a proposal to repay the loan in manageable instalments. While they have offered a discount, they insist on the full payment rather than accepting my proposed repayment plan. I kindly request your guidance on the best course of action in this situation. Is there a legal avenue or negotiation strategy that I can pursue to secure a mutually beneficial arrangement with the bank? I genuinely intend to honour my commitment and repay the loan but require some flexibility considering my current financial circumstances.

Q: Hi I am from India, I was working in the UAE until November 2018 for a job change in the UAE, and I returned to India. But I didn't get that expected job or a new one from the UAE. When I left the UAE, I had a credit card outstanding for a period of 6 months. I paid the EMI from India. But after 6 months, I could not continue to pay the EMI. Can I come back to the UAE and find a good job and pay back my debts? Thank you for your time

Q: Hello, I have issued 3 cheques in the total amount of AED 46,000 as salaries for my worker and due to insufficient balance, 2 cheques have been bounced. But recently, the same current account has been closed by the bank (Due to multiple cheques bounced). The third cheque he deposited last week and that cheque bounced due to account closing. He is willing to file a police complaint and does not want to settle this amicably. I already obtained a letter from the bank that the bank itself closed the account. My question is will Dubai Police consider this a criminal offense? Any advice to resolve this matter would be appreciated.

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

What shall I do if I have a bounced cheque? You need to contact your lawyer as soon as possible to issue a travel ban against the person who issued the bounced cheque. It should be noted that time plays a very important role in bounced cheque cases.

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.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.