Q: My lawyer in Abu Dhabi won much less than my settlement. My agreement with him was to get 10k if he wins the case; my settlement was 117k. He won 97k only and couldn't rectify an error in my judgment through appeal. I was a manager and the court confused my contract with another worker from the same company since we were a large group. I won 14k in compensation for leave and unlawful deduction. My cheque was ready 5 weeks ago, and knowing that I have a friend with POA since I am outside the UAE now, he ignored my calls and my messages. And today, I was told that they had the money transferred to their account and that I will only get 4k since they will hold my 10k, is that legal?

Q: My lawyer isn’t sharing papers for the payment from the court. I believe there is a paper called accounts report that states in detail the amount I had to receive. How can I get that report? The labor case is in Abu Dhabi. Thank you

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: Dear sir/madam, My wife filed a compensation claim in Abu Dhabi. The court found the opponent guilty and was awarded damages. Can she reclaim the legal fees paid to the law firm or only the court costs including the cost to file the case? As the compensation awarded does not cover the fees paid. Thanks!

Q: Hello, I have a medical negligence claim, but my lawyer is asking for upfront fees, and if I am compensated, they want 10% of my compensation. Are these terms normal in Dubai?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, If we file a case against someone with a lawyer and sign a POA with a percentage on a recovery basis, and then we go with another lawyer or recover through mutual talking with the culprit, does the first lawyer have a right to the percentage on recovery which we signed with him?

Q: I hired two law firms to help resolve my rental dispute case, but both betrayed my trust. The first firm was to settle my balance at Sharjah Municipality. In November 2023, they asked for 50% of AED 70,942 to initiate an installment plan. Trusting them, I transferred the amount, believing it would go to the municipality. By June 2024, I discovered a travel ban was imposed on me. When I confronted the firm, they admitted the money never reached the municipality, claiming someone in their company took it. In October 2024, I hired another firm, they asked me to pay 8,000 AED upfront as lawyer’s fees. After that, they became unresponsive, ignoring my messages and providing no updates. Now, I’m unsure how to recover the AED 37,244.50 from the first firm and AED 8,000 from the second. I’ve lost trust in the legal system and don’t know how to proceed. I tried to find an Emirati lawyer, thinking it would be better, but my case always goes to a legal consultant. What should I do?

Q: Hello Everyone, Can a legal firm sue for not being able to pay legal fees? They haven't represented me yet. Only a POA was issued, and a letter of engagement was signed. Now they want me to pay the fees, but they will not represent me. How do I defend myself in this situation?

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.

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.

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.