Q: Dear Mrs Khan, I have recently received a Post Dated Bank Cheque from one of my new clients, the cheque date is Thursday 19th Apr 2018. Today, I called this client to find out that they are not answering calls, and when I went to their office I found it closed and many of their suppliers in the corridors complaining about their Bank Cheques that were bounced back (rejected). The owner of this company seems to have already left the UAE and none of his employees is answering the phone. So most probably the bank cheque that they gave me (AED 57250) will bounce back Thursday. So I want to start taking action now. I sold them 10000 boxes of 15 Kg lemon, which they stored in a third-party cold storeroom in Dubai. I went and found that the lemon is still there. Please, could you tell me how can I legally get back my lemon as I'm 100% sure I will not be paid? Thanks in advance and please feel to ask should you need more details.

Q: We are a Dubai-based company and had business relationship with another Dubai registered company whose owner is Lebanese. The company owes us close to AED 1.8 million as their cheques were dishonoured. We have filed a case against the company with Dubai Police, but the owner has since returned to Lebanon. Although we have contact with him he is not committing as to when he will pay us. Can we file a case against him in Lebanon, and if so, how do we go about it?

Q: I am seeking compensation for damages from a company that used my name in fraud. I have finished the case until the appeal court and the execution court has ordered that the company assets and accounts be attached until they pay the sum required as per the judgement. The company has been closed since last year and has no more money left in the bank. If there are no more assets of the company I could go after since the company no longer exists, how else can I get justice aside from the words written on a few sheets of my case judgement paper? I've spent a lot and exerted a lot of effort seeking justice for myself, and when it is time to collect what the judge has determined what I should have, apparently there is nothing left. Is there any other legal recourse? Thanks

Q: Reference to the defendant's non-payment of execution writ. Seven years ago I won a case and the court obliged the defendant to pay. At the time, the court failed to approve the arrest warrant and the defendant ran away. Now, all the necessary requests are approved in the system but the court is unable to find the defendant. What are my rights in this situation to get the outstanding payment either from the defendant or his family and friends?

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.