Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allLegal status of marriage
1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to enquire about my legal marriage status. I had a non-legal nikah marriage in the UK. Myself and my then husband moved to Dubai.
This nikah certificate was attested/ certified for visa/ legal purposes, however, I'm unsure of whether the UK would now recognise this nikah as a legal marriage, as another country has recorded it as such. If so then I would have to also legally divorce. As my divorce currently is an Islamic one.
Please, could you advise me further of if there are any ways of checking this or confirming etc? I had no legal marriage ceremony in Dubai.
The second question I have is that if I get a court order here in the UK for child maintenance. Is this then able to be registered in Dubai (can this be used to seek to enforce) in case he failed to pay? If so how much would this mirror order cost?
Kind regards,
Sarah

Oct 23, 2017
709
Possibility of being charged by police if there is no proof of marriage

2
Q: Hi,
I am married but don’t have a certificate to show it. I was reported for a bounced cheque and when police asked me for my statement, they asked if I’m married and I answered yes.
I have a 2-year-old son who was born outside the country. Will I be charged with sex out of wedlock?
Thank you


Jul 12, 2020
592
How to get proof for marriage from the UAE government upon husband's absence?

0
Q: Dear sir/madam,
A wife has married abroad and brought to the UAE as a wife legally, then the husband disappeared with the marriage contract.
How can she get proof from the UAE government that she was his wife? And how can she get what she is supposed to be paid monthly through court?


Aug 17, 2022
249
Is it mandatory to register the marriage in MOFA to live together here in the UAE?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Is it mandatory to register the marriage in MOFA to live together here in the UAE?
We are both Muslims from different nationalities and nikah was done in another country.
1. We both have our own visas and have no dependency on each other in terms of any legal ground.
2. We do not have any plan to have a child since we both are over 45 years old.
3. We have no requirement to register the marriage in our home country.
Still, is it mandatory to register the marriage with MOFA?
We appreciate your valuable input to clarify this.





Apr 29, 2024
114
Legal blog
4 available 4 • View allChoosing the Jurisdiction of Expatriate Divorces in the UAE 7
An interview-format article covering the topic of divorce for expatriates in the UAE and seeking to apply the laws of their countries. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 13, 2020
2971
Legal Requirements and Conditions of Marriage in the UAE 46
In accordance with the UAE Law of Personal Status, marriage is a legal contract between two people (man and a woman), focusing on protecting the rights of married people and their children. This contract requires certain conditions to be achieved before it becomes valid.
Nov 30, 2020
29329
Personal Status Law for Non-Muslim Foreigners in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 8
A new civil personal status decree has been introduced in the emirate of Abu Dhabi by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. This personal status decree will be applicable for non-Muslim foreigners based in Abu Dhabi in matters of marriage, divorce, Will, inheritance, and custody of children.
Nov 9, 2021
2581
Pregnancy out of Wedlock in the UAE 16
An interview-format article covering the topic of pregnancy out of wedlock in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 25, 2021
11264
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (28) of 2005 On Personal Status 24
UAE Personal Status Law (also known as Personal Affairs Law) governs marriage, divorce, inheritance and other personal affairs in the United Arab Emirates. The law equally applies to citizens of the UAE and non-citizens unless one of them asks for the application of his home country law.
Nov 19, 2005
49143
Federal Decree Law No. (14) of 2020 Amending Certain Provisions of the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Concerning the Commercial Transactions Law 4
The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.
Sep 27, 2020
3569

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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
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
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Can I return to Dubai after 12 years away on a new employment visa? 0
Hello,
I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa?
I have already received a new employment visa from another employer.
Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration?
Please advise!
Apr 30, 2025
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Can a company terminate an employee for refusing to do work not in the contract? 0
Hello,
Is it allowed for a company to terminate an employee because the employee refused to do work not stated in the contract?
May 7, 2025
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How can I go back to the Philippines if my visa expired and I’ve overstayed in the UAE? 0
Hello,
I'm from the Philippines. I work here as a maid. My employer didn't process my visa.
I overstayed here, and my visa expired on January 23, 2025. Today is May 6, 2025. I want to go home to the Philippines.
What should I do?
May 7, 2025
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Is it mandatory to visit the CID in person to update my records? 2
Respected Advisors,
I have been involved in a few criminal cases since 2017, but all of them were cleared by this year. I have obtained release letters for all the cases from the public prosecution office through an online portal.
Recently, I also received my residence visa. After the visa process was completed, I applied for a PCC online. However, the request was rejected.
I contacted the 901 office, and they advised me to visit the CID. I arranged for a power of attorney to be granted along with all the necessary documents to update the system.
Twice I was told to come in person, but I am hesitant to do so because of my previous negative experience.
Could someone please advise me whether I must go in person or if the person holding the power of attorney can handle the process?
Thank you!
Nov 15, 2023
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How can the heirs of a deceased person distribute his shares if there is a minor? 1
My father died recently. We are Muslim residents in Dubai. I have siblings including a minor who is 16 years old. My father has land and vehicles under his name.
If I am applying for inheritance, does the minor need to have a share in ALL the properties and vehicles or can she be given a particular property/vehicle?
Secondly, if we want the land to be in her name, and she manages it (like renting and bank), does it require an adult?
Can the vehicles be transferred to someone else’s name without including her?
Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
Oct 26, 2023
139
Senior executive unfairly dismissed: How much compensation to claim? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been unfairly dismissed (it's personal on their end) and have been given only two months' salary apart from the compulsory gratuity and notice pay.
I would like to claim more than two months as I am a senior executive (Director).
Up to how much should I claim, and would this be a realistic amount for me to "win"?
Oct 16, 2023
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Can we file a claim against an employee if he caused a financial loss to the company? 2
There was a legal action against an employee who failed to participate in an international event in Saudi Arabia due to a family issue that resulted in a travel ban, which in turn led to the non-signing of an AED 100,000 deal resulting in a loss to the company.
- What legal grounds exist for the employer to pursue legal action against the employee in this scenario?
- Does UAE labor law provide any specific guidance or remedies for such situations?
- What are the desired outcomes or remedies the employer can seek through legal action?
- Are there any potential legal consequences or liabilities for the employer in pursuing this case?
- What documentation and evidence are needed to support the employer's case?
Sep 14, 2023
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What are my options if my husband is refusing to pay child support? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
What are the charges to open an execution file in Sharjah for a divorce case and how much time will it take to execute the court order?
My husband told the court that he does not have money to pay for me and my daughter's expenses because he is earning a minimum amount in which he can only survive.
In that case, what can I do?
He closed all his bank accounts and sent money to his parents in India. He also told me that he will show in court that he does not have a job or money, so the court or police cannot do anything to him.
Can you please guide me on what I can do in this case? I do not have any proof of his salary or bank account because he was not informing me about anything related to his financial matters.
In fact, he was forcing me to ask my parents to send money to us. Because of no proof, the court agreed with him and rejected my appeal. I do not have a job and I am struggling for basic expenses.
Can I request the court to inquire about his gratuity and end of service?
Or can the court ask him to submit proof of the money that he received from his company, as he was working for 30 years in the same company?
Sep 13, 2023
354
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