Q: I am Ravi, doing business in Ajman. I had to come to India on an emergency by Aug 18. Unfortunately, there was a cheque of AED 120K issued to one of the suppliers [in Sharjah] and it got bounced. I have personally called and informed them, upon reaching back I will give the money. They are not accepting my request and started threatening my son who's living alone in the UAE. He's calling me to India saying that they will put me in a UAE jail [in case I am there] and they are going to file a new case in India to stop me from travelling to the UAE. Now, they're demanding me to pay AED 140K, otherwise, they will not withdraw the case against me. If I arrange AED 90K now & surrender the passport, will the police allow me to go out to arrange the balance amount? In case I could arrange the full amount of AED 120K will they release me? Any possibility to clear it off without arresting me? If I arrive at Dubai Airport, will I be shifted to Sharjah? Or Ajman? Please advise how to resolve this.

Q: A friend of mine has a few criminal cases in Dubai for bounced cheques. The complainants of his bounced cheques are individuals. Criminal cases have been filed and a sentence of jail term has been imposed by the Dubai Court in Absentia. He would like to know the following: 1) If he reaches the settlement with the complainant, can the jail term be removed? 2) In some instances, if the complainant is not in Dubai anymore, then how can the settlement be reached in order for the jail term to be removed? Please advise. Thank you.

Q: If the court issued a fine on a bounced cheque case, do you pay the fine only and the case is cleared or do you also have to pay the cheque value?

Q: I got the below message from Dubai Courts: Please note that a travel ban order has been issued against you regarding case [....] (Cheques Execution). Can anybody help? What to do next?

Q: I just received today a notice from ADJD that there is an Enforcement Cheque case filed against me today and I am asked to appear in court this January 2, 2023. What should I do? Could you please guide me on this matter? Your legal advice is highly appreciated.

Q: My friend has a cheque bounce of 15000 dirhams and he is in jail but he does not have money to pay. What will the consequences for it be since he does not have the money to pay and his documents are also not valid? Please assist me with the details. Thanks!

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.

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 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.