Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allDoes the non-compete clause restrict working with competitor under different designation?
3
Q: I have been working at a company for nearly 3 years under an unlimited labor contract as a Software Engineer, but the labor contract states that I am working in sales.
The contract states that I am not allowed to work for a competitor for a period of 2 years in the UAE. I have got a job offer from a competitor with almost double the salary.
The job offer is as a Software engineer. Will the non-compete clause be valid keeping in mind that the new job does not match my labor contract role?
If yes, can the old employer prevent me (ban) from moving to the new role and can they file a law case?

Oct 7, 2021
704
Signing a non-compete clause upon termination of a labor contract


1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I had signed a labor contract with the Ministry of Labour which had no "non-compete" clause.
Now, I want to leave the company, but my employer wants me to sign the "non-compete" clause in the termination contract.
In this case, is the non-compete clause applicable or not?



Oct 19, 2022
322
The possibility to join a competitor while there is a non-compete clause
2
Q: Hi,
I am working for a company in the Media City as a developer and I have a non-compete clause in my contract. I want to join a competitor who is also in Dubai but because of this non-compete clause, I cannot join the competitor.
Is there any way to leave my current company and join the competitor?

May 9, 2021
715
What are the legal consequences of resigning and starting a company in the same field?

1
Q: Hello,
I have a question regarding the non-compete clause. Do note that this non-compete clause was only mentioned in the offer letter and not in the labor contract.
The current situation is I am looking to start my own training consultancy. The nature of the business is to partner with companies that provide e-learning products, I will then consult with HR leaders in companies and advise and sell that e-learning software to them.
The previous organization that I worked for was not a consultancy but rather had its own e-learning software that is being sold in the market. However do note that the contract I signed with them was released by their company in New Jersey, USA, as they do not have an office in the UAE.
However, my visa was issued by their partner company, whom I had to sign a labor contract with as well as an offer letter that did not have a non-compete clause.
I want to know If I will get into any trouble if I start my own company considering the above.
Thank you


Dec 28, 2022
265
An arbitrary non-compete clause in a labor contract. What to do?

2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have two questions; one is about the non-compete clause term and another is about predetermined compensation.
1) My contract includes a non-compete clause stating that an employee cannot "in any capacity be engaged, interested or employed in a competitor's business in the UAE during 12 months after termination of the contract."
I don't work in sales. I am working at a managerial level, I won't take clients or secrets with me when I leave. Is it valid when I join a competitor in a similar position?
Can changing the job title/department avoid this clause?
2) My contract states that if an employee breaches any provisions of the clause, "the employee agrees to pay the damages equivalent to the employee's monthly salary for each month for the entire period."
Does the company need to prove that I caused the damages to the company to file a case?
Can they file a case as long as I join any competitor?
Do I need to prove I didn't cause any damage to the company?
Thanks in advance for your help!


Mar 22, 2023
188
Can I leave my job during probation to take an offer in the same industry if I have a non-compete clause?



0
Q: I am still on probation and I have an offer from a company.
I noticed that I have a non-compete clause with my current company and my next company is specified in a list under the contract.
Both companies are based in Dubai. The contract is filed in the DMCC free zone, not sure if it's under MOHRE.




Mar 5, 2024
219
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.
Sep 10, 2024
92674
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.
Apr 20, 1980
103762
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.
Sep 27, 2015
12466
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).
Sep 20, 2021
26967

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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?
Jul 12, 2024
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How to know if an offer letter I received from a company in the UAE is legit? 2
I got an offer letter from Al-Haldin Gulf Construction & Petroleum LLC. Can you please advise about the company?
Mar 18, 2024
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Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do? 2
Hello,
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!
Mar 14, 2024
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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.
Mar 16, 2024
315
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.
Mar 12, 2024
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How to claim compensation after receiving a court judgment in my favor for a car accident? 0
Good day,
I need help, please. I was involved in an accident. I was run over by a car and I was not the guilty party.
Now, I have received the judgment order from the court.
How do I submit it to claim my compensation from the guilty party?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
37
Is overtime applicable on work-from-home days under company’s policy? 0
Hello,
The company has a policy allowing employees to work from home once per week.
Now, employees are asking if overtime is applicable for those who work from home as well.
Could you please clarify?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
23
Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
17
Can I resign during the probation period without serving a three-month notice to take another job? 0
I am working in the private sector, and currently I am in the probation period. I got a government job, so I submitted a one-month resignation notice.
My current company rejected my one-month notice and ordered me to serve a three-month notice (as per the contract).
I enquired with One Time Centre, and as per their advice, after one month, I can stop work and register a complaint against my company.
For this matter, how will the UAE law help me to solve it?
May 2, 2025
25
Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
28
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