Q: My brother was detained last week in Sharjah Airport when he was traveling from Saudi Arabia stating there is a cheque bounce case. Further, looking into details we found that there is an open case in his name raised by a bank that issued a credit card to my brother when he was working in Abu Dhabi back in 2018. There was a credit card payment due when he moved back to his home country from Abu Dhabi in 2018. Later, he coordinated with collection people and settled the matter by paying dues. There is an email communication evidence in 2019 from bank officers that all dues are paid and settled and they will issue a clearance certificate which we never got. The settlement has happened with the bank but the police case was never closed as it seems. Now my brother is in jail for no fault. He is taken to Abu Dhabi and now planning to take him to Dubai for the court appearance. What should we do with this situation? My brother is facing all this trouble for no reason.

Q: Last October 2017, my security cheque for my personal loan bounced because I was two months delayed. When I found out that my cheque bounced, I coordinated with the bank, and they advised me that I need to submit a new cheque and new salary transfer certificate to them and they won't file a case. I submitted the required documents and paid some amount as well. Last February 21, 2018, I was planning to go to Georgia for vacation and I was arrested due to a case filed by the bank. I was surprised because I knew that they will not file a case and no one from the bank informed me that I have a case. The case was filed last November 12, 2017, and I even had communication with the bank for loan re-structuring and during that time they didn't even tell me that I have a case. I paid AED 10k fine for the case. I was really disappointed by the bank gesture. Why would I go to Georgia if I know that I have a case? I almost spent 5 days in jail. Please let me know your advice. Thank you very much.

Q: Hello, I need help with a legal matter. I have a personal/car loan with the bank and I missed 2 payments, July-August 2020 EMIs. The bank informed me they would be filing a case but I resumed the payments of both pending EMIs by paying them. Since September 2020, I have no debts, since I am paying my loan instalments regularly. On April, 27 this year I came to know I have a bounced security cheque which came with a travel ban. It is unfair as I never had any debts in more than 7 months. I provided the bank with all the necessary documents and I signed the new security deposit cheque 1 week ago. They are supposed to provide a clearance letter for the police to lift the travel ban but nothing is happening in more than 1 week and I am losing my job. Please advise me what is the solution in my case and how long does it take for the bank to cancel the bounced cheque and provide the clearance letter. Thank you in advance.

Q: Hello Everyone, I’m new to this community and seeking support. In 2020, I had a 10K credit card from a bank. Due to COVID-19, I was unable to make the payment on time, resulting in the bank filing a criminal case against me in Nov 2020. I have recently managed to arrange the funds and settle the amount. I have received clearance and case release letters from the bank, confirming that the case has been released by Dubai police. However, despite this, I still find the case active on the Dubai police app. As I am no longer in the country and plan to travel soon, I am concerned about any potential issues with obtaining a visa. I have attempted to contact Dubai police multiple times via email, but have not received a response. Please advise on any potential visa issues and any alternative steps I can take to resolve this matter. Thank you.

Q: Hi, I had an unpaid loan in the UAE, and because of that, I had a travel ban. The loan was settled two weeks ago. I have now received a new job offer in the UAE. There is a delay from the bank in providing the clearance letter. Can I enter the UAE with an email from the bank stating that the loan has been closed?

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.

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.

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.