Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • 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
670
The validity of a non-compete clause

1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I have been working in a gas company for about 6 years. It is our company's rule that one cannot switch to another gas company in any scenario within 2 years of resignation from the company.
They think that it may cause leaking secrets about customers and suppliers, procedures, and policies to the competitors.
Is there any legal value of such imposition?
Can a company hold an experience/character certificate or any other valued document or payment in such a case?
Thanks!


Nov 17, 2022
266
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
671
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
90454
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal 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
26409
Federal 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
103609
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
12404

Other answers by
72 72 answers •
View allCan a Muslim man marry a Muslim woman in the UAE law? 0
Can a Muslim man marry a Muslim woman in the UAE law?
Dec 27, 2022
231
Is there any option to release an impounded car from the police station? 0
Greetings,
Is there any option to release an impounded car from the police station?
Dec 26, 2022
464
How to remove a name from the blacklist? 0
Dear sir,
I am blacklisted from Abu Dhabi. I want to remove my name from the blacklist. There is circulation on my passport.
Please help me!
How can I remove the circulation from GCC?
Aug 4, 2022
1251
Can I claim compensation for emotional distress and pregnancy loss? 0
Good afternoon,
A gentleman insulted me severely over the phone during a delicate moment in my life when I was pregnant. He conveyed harsh messages through chat, causing me to feel sick, panicked, and scared.
Unfortunately, I lost my baby after this incident. I have reported the matter to the police and won the case, leading to the confiscation of his phone and imposition of a fine.
However, I believe I deserve compensation for the mistreatment. Can I pursue damages, and if so, what amount can I claim for my loss and damage?
Dec 4, 2023
159
Can my company make my position redundant and hire somebody else after I was terminated? 0
My company terminated my employment because it was making the position I held redundant.
I was advised that in no way was this performance-related but purely a restructuring exercise.
However, within 1 month of leaving the company, they have externally recruited another person to fill my exact position, with the same job title, that they made redundant.
Whilst I believe that this is unethical behavior, could anyone tell me if this is legal within the UAE or should I lodge a complaint for unfair dismissal?
Nov 8, 2023
235

Premium
Other answers by
3187 3187 answers •
View allWill changing the ownership of the company affect my end-of-service benefits accrued for 6 years? 0
My company changed the boss, but the company name is still the same.
Is there any way I can't get all my benefits for 6 years?
Apr 8, 2025
59
How can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
85
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? 0
Hello,
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? If not, can the employer deduct the sick leave from the employee’s end-of-service benefits?
Additionally, what is the legal basis for this? Specifically, which law or ministerial decision governs this matter?
Apr 4, 2025
139
Can I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
73
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency and it was canceled two days before Eid. What to do? 0
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency two weeks before Eid. The travel agency confirmed the booking on payment.
One day before Eid, the agency reached out, saying they had an issue with the supplier/hotel and the booking would be cancelled.
They offered alternative hotels that didn’t match the original property. I suggested some properties, and they couldn’t arrange them, or they asked for further payment, so I didn’t book anything through them.
What are my rights to a refund and compensation, as I had to book other arrangements separately at a significantly higher cost due to the last-minute prices?
It also caused significant emotional distress, less than 24 hours before the holiday. To which authority can a complaint be made in case of an unsatisfactory outcome?
Both the agency and the hotel are in Dubai.
Apr 4, 2025
67
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