Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allThe rights and obligations of a freelancer regarding gratuity and non-competition
3
Q: Good afternoon.
The company terminated my unlimited full-time employment contract after 3 years, so not renewing my visa. I am working on my own visa now and continue as a freelancer.
But they want me to sign their freelance/consultancy agreement with a clause that I am not allowed to work for any of their competitors (but they don't provide me with a visa, medical, no benefits, even not giving me enough working hours).
1) Is it legal to ask a freelancer for this exclusivity?
2) How I can be a freelancer and not allowed to work for other companies?
3) What shall I do if I still want to continue working with them but need other jobs in other companies to have enough income to pay my bills?
4) Am I entitled to gratuity? Because they didn't mention it.
Thank you

Feb 21, 2021
1550
Issuing contracts to freelancers to work legally
1
Q: Hello,
I am planning to launch a service marketplace for freelancers. Most freelancers don't have a freelance license.
Can I make a contract between our company and the freelancers to make them legal to operate?
And should this contract be physical or digital?

Sep 29, 2021
527
Need for a license to work as a freelancer in the UAE

1
Q: Hello,
Are beauty home services provided by freelancers legal in the UAE (manicure, hair, makeup...etc.)?
Does a freelancer require specific approvals, documents or licenses for providing home services?


Jun 14, 2020
474
Contract mandates written termination. Access denied suddenly. What to do?




1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I work online with a company based in Dubai. I have a contract with them that stipulates any termination should be communicated in writing and signed by both parties.
However, today, they suddenly removed access for us without prior notice.





+3
Dec 27, 2023
108
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.
Sep 10, 2024
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An Overview of the Legal Framework for Entrepreneurs in the UAE 4
Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.
Mar 14, 2017
6382
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (2) of 2015 On Commercial Companies 15
The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.
Mar 25, 2015
29586
Ministerial Decision No. (31) of 2018 Concerning Developing a New Employment System Under Part-Time Contracts 4
The Decision establishes a new employment system in the UAE allowing employers to recruit employees classified as skilled workers level 1 and 2 for a part-time job. Under this decision, skilled employees who are already employed elsewhere, can work with more than one employer under a part-time contract without the permission of any employer.
Jan 21, 2018
2477

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Other answers by
My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
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How can I be exempted from paying the 5% court fee, and where should I go to apply? 1
Hello,
How can I be exempted from paying the 5% court fee, and where should I go to apply?
Mar 18, 2025
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Can we claim and sell a liquidated customer’s goods to recover debts through Dubai Courts? 1
Hello,
Our customer has gone into liquidation, and we are shipping goods to Saudi Arabia. We have stopped the shipment and requested payment of their outstanding balance.
How can we request to take ownership of their goods to sell in order to recover our outstanding invoices? Is this possible in Dubai Courts?
Feb 6, 2025
88
I purchased an apartment, but the previous landlord refuses to vacate. What to do? 1
Hello,
I bought an apartment, but the previous landlord is refusing to vacate it. The contract clearly states that the landlord should hand over the apartment on the day of the transfer.
Out of courtesy, I gave him three days to vacate so he could find a new place to stay, but the time has passed, and he is still refusing to vacate and hand it over.
What should I do in this case?
Feb 4, 2025
83
My hair was damaged by a very known and professional salon. Can I seek refund and compensation? 0
Hello.
I went to a very well-known and professional salon (or so I thought) for a normal hair dye. The guy who did my hair left the dye on my hair for over an hour when it was supposed to be on for a maximum of 30 minutes.
He wasn’t paying attention to me walking around the store talking to everyone and also doing another customer's extensions.
Now my hair is potentially damaged, my skull burns, and is flaky (meaning the dye wasn’t ammonia-free which is extremely unprofessional for such an expensive salon).
I didn’t even get the outcome that I wanted and the dye color doesn’t even show. I talked to him about it but he shut it down so fast and gaslit me the whole time and made me feel like I was the wrong one and I was ‘complaining about something so light’.
Please let me know what I can do legally about this.
Thank you.
Jan 31, 2025
77

Premium
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How to claim compensation after receiving a court judgment in my favor for a car accident? 0
Good day,
I need help, please. I was involved in an accident. I was run over by a car and I was not the guilty party.
Now, I have received the judgment order from the court.
How do I submit it to claim my compensation from the guilty party?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
32
Is overtime applicable on work-from-home days under company’s policy? 0
Hello,
The company has a policy allowing employees to work from home once per week.
Now, employees are asking if overtime is applicable for those who work from home as well.
Could you please clarify?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
23
Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
16
Can I resign during the probation period without serving a three-month notice to take another job? 0
I am working in the private sector, and currently I am in the probation period. I got a government job, so I submitted a one-month resignation notice.
My current company rejected my one-month notice and ordered me to serve a three-month notice (as per the contract).
I enquired with One Time Centre, and as per their advice, after one month, I can stop work and register a complaint against my company.
For this matter, how will the UAE law help me to solve it?
May 2, 2025
20
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
27
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