Q: How can I get my AED 11000 back paid to an immigration consultant? The amount was charged for a service which I am not eligible for. I have a voice recording of the promises made by the consultant.

Q: Hi. This is Arun from Thailand. I need a legal opinion from your concern regarding the cheating faced from a UAE-based firm named R. I. In January 2017,   my wife signed an agreement with them regarding a job offer letter to Canada. The total fees they asked for were AED 7000, but for the initial payment, I paid AED 4000 to them. They said it will take 6 months. In January 2018, they told me that presently they aren’t able to do the job offer for me because there is no current openings. After that, they gave me one more offer that they have for an Atlantic immigration program to Canada. In this case, I also believed them and they started the program. Then only I came to know that they didn’t even know how to fill the immigration application. So I told them to stop the processing and refund me the full amount on last April, but till now, they didn’t refund and they are keep on postponing. I thought to file a case against them, so I am requesting you to give me an advice on the same.

Q: I had signed up with an immigration consultant for immigration to Canada. According to the contract I would be refunded the full amount if my application did not get through in a year. I had asked for a refund and they have only approved 2560/- out of around Dhs 9500/-. I need help to resolve this issue. Thanks.

Q: I approached an immigration consultancy in Dubai for a Canada work permit, we signed an agreement and I paid AED 28,600. The agreement said if the company doesn't process my work permit within 6 - 8 months, I will be entitled to a full refund within 90 working days. The company defaulted on the processing time and I requested and signed a refund document with the company stating that a "refund will be given within 90 working days". From the look of things, the company isn't willing to refund the money after 90 working days. In this case, what should I do or where should I complain to get my money back from the company ASAP? Note: my visa will expire on February 24, 2023, and the 90 working days for the company to refund me will end on February 04, 2023. Thanks for your assistance.

Q: Hi Ms. Jennifer, My friend in Dubai opened her dance studio in Karama & requested me to give her 4 cheques in my name as they had some issues opening an account. She assured me that every alternative month before the due date of the cheque she would deposit the said amount in my account. The 1st cheque was on 10 Nov 2022, for which she put the amount in my account. On 10 Jan 2023 was the 2nd cheque & this time she did not put the money in my account, I borrowed money from my known sources to avoid the cheque bounce case. It has been 13 days now & she has still not deposited my money in the account. How can I get out of this situation? I want to take back my 2 pending cheques from the landlord as the class does not belong to me, I just helped on humanitarian grounds & this is what I got in return. I have been messaging her pleading with her to deposit the money in my account but she has been giving me excuses. Please guide & help me.

An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.

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 Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).

The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection.