Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allHow to know if you have a case or travel ban for an old bank debt and when does it drop?
2
Q: Hi Alona,
I had some loans from banks in 2015 which amounted to 400k from 3 banks. Now with the 2022 rule, I checked and there is no criminal case or travel ban against me which is a relief.
I plan to re-enter Dubai but I fear that the banks put again another case against me for these old debts based on the new commercial/civil law. Is the debt finished?
I don't want to get stuck in Dubai for old loans. Kindly advise on my possible course of action going forward.

Oct 6, 2022
1223
How can I get back to the UAE after I lost job and got overdue payments?
1
Q: I’m an Indian from Kerala. Due to the job loss and after getting in to fake company job, I’m forced to quit the UAE.
After that, my dues prolonged and I was not in a position to get back to the UAE without clearing my dues.
For the past 5 years I was totally collapsing and no good movement in my life and career. I want to come back for employment visa as I got an offer also.
Before entering the UAE, my police case has to be revoked which is in Albarsha police station and don’t have enough money for paying dues also.
My credit card outstanding is AED 17800 with a bank. Request your guidance and advice to settle my dues with small amount and revoke my police case before my visa gets stamped.
Thanks
S.

Jul 4, 2022
370
What are the possible consequences of leaving the UAE with unpaid loan and rent?
2
Q: I left the UAE in 2020 during the Covid19 situation and did not finish my Abu Dhabi tenancy contract. Also, I have a bank loan of AED 40k.
Now I want to come back, What situation will I have to face once I arrive?

May 4, 2022
501
What is the limitation period that a bank has to claim bank loan default by a company?
1
Q: What is the limitation period that a bank has to claim bank loan default by a company?
A company loaned money from the bank and defaulted in the payment of return.
How long does a bank have to claim the amount in the UAE?
In the civil code, it's 15 years and in the commercial code, it's 10 years.
What would apply on behalf of the bank?
Kindly revert.
Thank you

Nov 9, 2022
802
I want to know as per the new cheque law what is the time limit to file execution
1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to know as per the new cheque bounce law, what is the time limit to file execution, 3 years or 5 years?
I have bounced a cheque for 17000 in April 2017 and I filed a criminal case and he paid the fine.
Now, after 5 years, can I open execution on him?
Regards

Dec 21, 2022
320
A civil case for a bank loan was filed fifteen years ago. When does it expire?
1
Q: Hi,
My husband had a car loan in let's say 2008. He lost his job and couldn't pay it which lead to a criminal case. He paid bail and got out of the country.
Of course, the civil case followed. The case is still active.
What would happen if he would return to UAE?
What will be the procedure at the airport?
Is there an option for him not to be jailed?
The intention is to pay it back and get a job in the UAE.
Can the fees be reduced?
What about the 15 years that the civil case should expire after that?

Mar 3, 2023
412
Can I enter the UAE without getting arrested if I have a pending credit card debt?



2
Q: I left Dubai in 2017 with a credit card debt of AED 40,000 left due to illness. Since then, I've been attempting to negotiate a payment plan with the bank.
However, they consistently reject my offers and insist on full payment in one lump sum. I have repeatedly asked for documentation and proof of the debt but in the last 6 years, the bank has failed to provide any proof or documentation.
I check regularly and no police report has been filed against me. Recently, I was notified by the bank that they have lost my security cheque and therefore cannot file a police report. Is this true?
What implications does this have on my UAE status?
Can I safely enter the UAE without the risk of arrest?




Jun 14, 2023
217
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allBounced Cheques in the UAE: What You Need to Know in 2024 291
In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.
Oct 15, 2024
222584
Failing to Honour Bounced Cheques in Loans and Other Transactions 8
An interview-format article covering the topic of loans and bounced cheques in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Jan 15, 2020
7110
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (18) of 1993 Issuing the Commercial Transactions Law 19
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.
Sep 7, 1993
33056
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148514
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
3549

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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
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Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
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What can I do if my neighbors are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling? 0
I live in a townhouse with a shared wall with my neighbors. They are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling on the shared wall.
They said it will last for 2 months, working 6 days a week. It is driving us crazy, and there is no way to live this way, and I have to work from home.
I am very stressed. What is the immediate solution, please?
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هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟ 0
السلام عليكم
هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات (أب إماراتي يحمل جواز من الشارقة ، أم وافدة) في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟
هل يمنع من استخراج شهاده ميلاد؟ وما هي الإجراءات والعقوبات المتوقعة؟
مع العلم بأن الأب معترف بالطفل قبل الزواج وبعده.
شكراً
Apr 25, 2025
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Can I keep my daughter's physical Emirates ID if the custodian already has the digital copy? 0
Hello,
Can I keep my daughter's physical Emirates ID with me? I already provided the digital copy to the custodian, my ex-wife.
Or should I hand it over to her?
Apr 24, 2025
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
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Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
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Can I cancel my house sale contract without extra fees after personal plans changed? 2
Dear Lawyers,
I signed a Form F with a buyer for the sale of my house as we were planning to leave the country. The contract was signed about a month ago, but the handover is not until August.
Due to personal circumstances changing, we are no longer leaving Dubai and would like to cancel Form F.
The Form F contract stipulates that we have to pay the buyer 10% of the purchase value. The real estate agent is now claiming that we also have to pay the buyer's real estate commission and the conveyancing fee.
Our understanding is that the 10% penalty is the only penalty. Which is correct, and what are the next steps to dispute this?
Also, is there any way to dispute the 10% itself under the law due to personal circumstances changing?
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Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do? 2
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I have a tenant who is always late with their payment. Their renewal was supposed to be last December 2023.
Currently, they have not signed any new contract, provided any new cheques, and have stayed for three months from December until now without paying rent.
Additionally, I just discovered that they have sublet the apartment with partitions, which is clearly stated as not allowed in the old contract.
Please let me know what should I do legally!
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How soon will I receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer? 1
Dear Concern,
How long will it take to receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer?
My last working day at my current company will be on April 7, 2024.
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Tenant received renewal notice, rejected proposed rent on renewal day. What next? 2
Hi,
We sent a renewal notice to our Dubai-based tenant 84 days before his contract renewal, with a 10% increase in rent.
The tenant neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposed rent and replied on the day of renewal that he wouldn't be paying the proposed rent.
Due to the argument, the landlord decided to reduce the rent, but the tenant has not yet renewed his contract. It has been 12 days since his contract expired.
Kindly suggest what could be done in this matter.
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