Q: I had a civil compensation case (road accident) with a law firm in Abu Dhabi in 2017. During the initial stage, they had sent an advocate fee agreement mentioning 15% of the collected money from the court by email, I have signed and sent it to them by courier. But, they failed to provide a signed copy to me and I also forgot to get the same due to my work pressure at that time. The court judgment and compensation money also came to the lawyer's account, and now my lawyer is asking for 20% advocate fees. I did not agree with the same. After a few days of this conversation, they verbally agreed to 15% fees and requested to send account details, and I sent my account details. They transferred money after deducting 20% advocate fees, I have sent many emails to release my remaining amount based on the 15% calculation, but they are not replying or responding to my emails. Currently, I am in India due to losing my job during the COVID situation. Please advise how to get my remaining money from them.

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: Can I get back all the money that I spend on filing a civil case? Any steps to do the refund of expenses?

Q: Hi, We have received the verdict for our rental increase case. The judge has decided on a 20% increase. The agency is now asking us to cover all costs and expenses. Our legal advisor says that this should be shared, but they are insisting that we are liable to pay fully. Please can you give me some advice on this? It is written on the court verdict that: "إلزام المدعى عليه بالمناسب من الرسوم والمصاريف".

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: I am from outside the UAE and would like to ask some questions about a possible adversarial proceeding against a legal consultant and a private party in the UAE. A legal counsel from Dubai sent us a legal notice for payment in the amount of 944,586 USD and a 3-day limit of payment for alleged moral damages to her client. They notified me and another party, my brother who’s in the US. The client of this counsel is my brother’s ex-partner. I would like to know the following points based on the tenor of legal notice: 1. Can legal counsels who are not involved in civil litigation give such notices? 2. Are legal counsels permitted to estimate the amount of moral damages without a valid court order? 3. What are the possible sanctions on malicious imputation of a crime and baseless accusation? I have contacted a lawyer in the US but I am yet to be familiarized with UAE law so thank you so much!

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 have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. However, RDC says that legal fees do not mean lawyer fees; they are RDC fees only. Is this correct?

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.