Q: Hello, If I have a bounced check case over 200,000 AED which has been filed over 3 years ago, is it still considered a criminal offense in Dubai or is it now considered civil? Is there a time frame through which checks change from criminal to civil?

Q: I have 5 credit card payment issues from 4 banks. Last year, I was detained for 2 days in the police station for one of the banks bouncing a cheque for AED 55,000. I went to the prosecution and paid a fine of AED 5,000 and cleared the cheque bounce case. Now, two banks are saying that they have filed a case, but they have not provided me with any case number or other details regarding the same. I tried to negotiate with the bank as I am having a bad financial situation since December 2017. Until this, all payments were done on time on every card. I wish to know how I can check if the banks filed a civil case directly without bouncing the cheque and filing a criminal complaint. I checked on the Dubai police website to see if any criminal cases are present in my name but it showed nothing. I am in doubt if I can travel in and out of the UAE. All my card limits are under AED 25000. Please suggest what can be done to check if any travel ban or cases exist on my name.

Q: How to know if there is a civil case against me or a travel ban? I didn't receive any SMS or phone call or any notification. I just want to know if there a case against me or not to solve the issues. Please note it's a financial issue and the amount is less than 100 thousand.

The UAE travel ban may be imposed on a person on various grounds, for instance, as the result of criminal offences, unpaid loans, breach of immigration laws or family matters. Implications of such a ban can be financially severe and daunting for the affected person. This article aims to give readers a clear understanding of what is the UAE travel ban, what are the grounds and procedures for its imposition and removal, how to check if the person is banned from travelling and other related topics.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

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 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.