Q: We sold a car on dubizzle and accepted a bankers draft cheque, after 2 weeks we find out from HSBC the bankers draft is fake. It was for 370,000 Dhs, we have registered at the police, but feel nothing has been done. We gave the police a copy of the guys I'd card, they confirmed he has 7 cases against him. CCTV will show him at RTA, why can't the police go to his home or work, I thought an ID card meant they knew where everyone is. The guy is Emarati, how can we get our money back? We know the car has been sold on.

Q: A question of breach of contract; I signed a contract for my cars to be sold. They sold the cars, refuse to pay me my money. Taking it to UAE Arbitration court. What are my chances and will this drag on beyond the arbitration?

Q: I had a deal with a transport company to buy a vehicle. I had given them post-dated cheques to hand over the vehicle to me. After that, neither they handed over the vehicle nor returned the cheques. I tried to contact them but all in vain. In the end, I had registered a case in Dubai Courts. The case was referred to AMICABLE Disputes Department. No one from that company came for the hearing. A guy in AMICABLE Department told me that they tried to contact the company on contact details e.g. mobile number, landline and fax & physical address provided on their trade license but could not have a contact. So I was told that the case will be referred back to Dubai Courts and I need to get a hearing date from the Judge. Yesterday I approached the bank and asked them if I can block the issued cheques and I was told that yes, it can be done. My question is that, will it be a wise step to block the cheques and continue the case in court? Kindly suggest. Thank You. Regards.

Q: A sales agent recently came into our house (around 7 pm) to do a demonstration on an expensive vacuum cleaner. After several hours, my friend and I decided to take 1 unit each because they have offered an instalment payment scheme for 18-24 months. The following morning at around 10 am, I tried to call the agent and sent him a message that I don't want to proceed with the purchase as my husband did not agree to it. He is telling me that I can return the machine but I have to pay AED 4,000 contract cancellation fee, claiming that the machine has already been registered internationally under my name and the fee they are asking is for the cancellation. I did not even open the machine and notified him in less than 24 hours and now I have to pay AED 4,000. Is it right for them to write in the contract such terms on the cancellation? Also, they refused to take back the machine until I have given them full cheques for the AED 4,000 penalty. Thank you

Q: We have purchased two cars from a Georgian company. These cars were supposed to be shipped to our client in Nigeria. After the container reached to Nigeria the two units inside of it where not what we asked for. The case is that the company has defrauded us by invoicing and billing two units of Toyota LC 4.6L 2019 which has invoiced to us with specific VIN numbers. But unfortunately, what we received are old used cars in the container.

Q: I purchased a diamond Jewellery 15-20 days back from a renowned jeweller in the UAE for a price of AED 20500 and made advance payment for AED 15000. Due to some unfortunate reasons, I had to cancel my purchase. The jeweller is deducting 25% of the paid amount ( 5% for vat and 20 % being there policy) to return the cashback. I believe the amount deducted is unreasonably high as I have not bought the jewellery back home since the amount is not paid fully. I offered them an option to allow me to purchase gold jewellery instead and they still are very stringent in deducting 25% of the amount paid. It has only been 15 days since I made the purchase, I don’t know what to do.

Q: I bought a car on Tuesday at 10 pm, I paid 11000 AED in cash and 17500 AED via bank transfer. At 6.40 am the next day, the car's engine failed within 10 mins of driving it. ADNOC car testing service in Mushrif said the car was misfiring. The garage had to replace 4 spark plugs & ignition coils. It costs 1500 AED. The car key doesn't work either. The seller assured me he would fix it, but he didn't. Electrical key shops said that the battery couldn't be replaced because it is soldered shut and it would damage the whole key and only a dealership can sort this. The dealership told me that it is not possible to change the battery on this key and I would need a replacement instead. This costs 1500 AED. I put the 17500 bank transfer on hold pending the outcome of these situations. I contacted the seller to renegotiate the deal and he threatened me over the phone instead. What are my legal rights here? Should I file a civil case immediately or attempt to resolve the case with the seller directly?

Q: If my company signed a contract and sent it to the client, and the client still has not signed and it's been 3 months, can I withdraw my offer? And how can I do so?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I gave an advance to a seller to buy his car, but after giving the advance, several discussions took place. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I called off the deal, and now the seller is not refunding my advance.

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

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.

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.