Q: Hi all, I recently engaged a law firm in the UAE to help clear some cases against being due to bounced cheques. The firm did not provide any formal quote or letter of engagement and the service, including cost, was discussed via emails. The firm's response to a request for a quote or letter of engagement was that their internal policy is such that does not provide such correspondence. I was asked to pay the full fees upfront which I did. Prior to and since the engagement began, I have been liaising with a business development person at this firm and I have requested multiple times to speak to the lawyer assigned to my cases. The response I get is a short single-line answer dismissing the request. I have also been asking for an update in terms of progress so far and received responses to the effect "lawyers are working on it". There is no specific update provided in terms of actions, submissions to authorities, or any other matter. Does this approach appear reasonable by a law firm in the UAE?

Q: Is there an Abu Dhabi Justice Department office to get a lawyer who has been hired to respond to client's questions? I paid a law firm 50% of their fee in May 2016. My case was to be heard by the Cassation court on 20 Nov, then postponed to 28 Nov. Attorney has not advised me of the results and now does not reply to email or phone calls. I am in the USA.

Q: Hi, I have approached a lawyer because they promised to solve my case in a weeks time. I went and paid the fees on 9th of July and got 3 copies attested from Dubai courts and submitted all. I have been hearing from them that they will do it today, tomorrow and it's been nearly a month and case manager is just telling "today, tomorrow". I have lost trust and hopes. I approached them for a solution and they promised it within a week, not in 3 weeks, and they have not even sent the legal notice. Please advise what should I do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, If a lawyer confiscates the original documents of a client, what is the remedy for the client to retrieve them?

With over 3,000 licensed advocates and legal consultants in Dubai alone, you have a wealth of choices for legal assistance. But is this too much of a good thing? With so many choices, anyone looking for legal help in the UAE has a few significant hurdles to overcome.

The provisions of this Law regulate the profession of lawyers in the UAE. Lawyers are those who practice the legal profession in view of providing judicial and legal assistance to whomever so requires.

This Ministerial Decision of Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments sets the implementing regulations of the Federal Law No. (23) of 1991 On the Regulation of the Legal Profession in the UAE. It abrogates Ministerial Decision No. (501) of 1992.