Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allA client is not paying while 95% of work is complete. What to do?

1
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I am an interior decor contractor. My client kicked us out of a site that was about 95% complete, on a flimsy pretext. Then he brought in another contractor to complete the works citing issues with my work (without a joint inspection).
I am completely broke due to the nonpayment from his side.
How can I recover my balance payment (up to when we stopped)? We have a DIAC arbitration clause in our contract.


Aug 17, 2022
245
Recourse for unpaid dues in commercial transactions

6
Q: I am a contractor and my client has pending payments with him. I have received 5 out of 13 payments I sent him.
All the 13 payments are late. All the payments have been signed and approved and he gave me a payment certificate to confirm due date of payment but until this date, it is not paid.
Each certificate is delayed out of the 8 balance. They range in delay from 2 weeks to 6 months. What are my rights and the damages I can claim as per the UAE law?
Please note that I had to close down my business because I can't afford to run it due to the late payments.


Jun 10, 2018
5196
Legal action I can take against a client refusing to pay the invoice of provided services?



2
Q: I am owed payment for an invoice for services rendered but the client refuses to pay despite promising to do so.
I have tried unsuccessfully for 9 months to get the payment. It is AED 35,000. I have an LPO and proof in writing from the client that he would pay.
What are my next legal steps?




Jul 25, 2022
372
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allHow to Get Paid if You Are a Small Business? 6
An interview-format article covering the topic of getting paid for small businesses in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 15, 2021
508
Payment Orders in the UAE 4
An interview-format article covering the topic of payment orders in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 24, 2021
1375
How to Increase Chances of Getting Your Invoices Paid in the UAE 0
An interview-format article covering the topic of how to increase chances of getting your invoices paid in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 24, 2021
717
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal 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
148529
Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 Concerning Issuance of the Civil Procedures Code 42
The law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.
Feb 24, 1992
75398

Other answers by
Is it mandatory to visit the CID in person to update my records? 2
Respected Advisors,
I have been involved in a few criminal cases since 2017, but all of them were cleared by this year. I have obtained release letters for all the cases from the public prosecution office through an online portal.
Recently, I also received my residence visa. After the visa process was completed, I applied for a PCC online. However, the request was rejected.
I contacted the 901 office, and they advised me to visit the CID. I arranged for a power of attorney to be granted along with all the necessary documents to update the system.
Twice I was told to come in person, but I am hesitant to do so because of my previous negative experience.
Could someone please advise me whether I must go in person or if the person holding the power of attorney can handle the process?
Thank you!
Nov 15, 2023
709
How can the heirs of a deceased person distribute his shares if there is a minor? 1
My father died recently. We are Muslim residents in Dubai. I have siblings including a minor who is 16 years old. My father has land and vehicles under his name.
If I am applying for inheritance, does the minor need to have a share in ALL the properties and vehicles or can she be given a particular property/vehicle?
Secondly, if we want the land to be in her name, and she manages it (like renting and bank), does it require an adult?
Can the vehicles be transferred to someone else’s name without including her?
Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
Oct 26, 2023
138
Senior executive unfairly dismissed: How much compensation to claim? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been unfairly dismissed (it's personal on their end) and have been given only two months' salary apart from the compulsory gratuity and notice pay.
I would like to claim more than two months as I am a senior executive (Director).
Up to how much should I claim, and would this be a realistic amount for me to "win"?
Oct 16, 2023
149
Can we file a claim against an employee if he caused a financial loss to the company? 2
There was a legal action against an employee who failed to participate in an international event in Saudi Arabia due to a family issue that resulted in a travel ban, which in turn led to the non-signing of an AED 100,000 deal resulting in a loss to the company.
- What legal grounds exist for the employer to pursue legal action against the employee in this scenario?
- Does UAE labor law provide any specific guidance or remedies for such situations?
- What are the desired outcomes or remedies the employer can seek through legal action?
- Are there any potential legal consequences or liabilities for the employer in pursuing this case?
- What documentation and evidence are needed to support the employer's case?
Sep 14, 2023
964
What are my options if my husband is refusing to pay child support? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
What are the charges to open an execution file in Sharjah for a divorce case and how much time will it take to execute the court order?
My husband told the court that he does not have money to pay for me and my daughter's expenses because he is earning a minimum amount in which he can only survive.
In that case, what can I do?
He closed all his bank accounts and sent money to his parents in India. He also told me that he will show in court that he does not have a job or money, so the court or police cannot do anything to him.
Can you please guide me on what I can do in this case? I do not have any proof of his salary or bank account because he was not informing me about anything related to his financial matters.
In fact, he was forcing me to ask my parents to send money to us. Because of no proof, the court agreed with him and rejected my appeal. I do not have a job and I am struggling for basic expenses.
Can I request the court to inquire about his gratuity and end of service?
Or can the court ask him to submit proof of the money that he received from his company, as he was working for 30 years in the same company?
Sep 13, 2023
348

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How long does it take the court for disbursement labor dues after payment by the employer? 2
Hi there,
I have a labor case that has been ruled in my favor. I filed an execution case & the employer paid the outstanding balance to the court.
I requested disbursement and this has been accepted. I have given the court my IBAN & account info.
How long does disbursement take?
Thanks
May 18, 2023
1425
Can I pay the fine to close a credit card if the bank asks for huge amount to settle? 0
Dear Team,
I have an issue with my credit card, which was issued in 2013 and I used the same till 2018, all the payments had done on time.
Unfortunately, last time in 2018, I was troubled by a financial crisis. Due to the same, I had some amount pending on my credit card, and in 2018, I went to my home country as I lost my job.
This year, two months back, I came back to UAE. Now the bank team is asking for a huge amount for the settlement.
Could you please advise me on how to close this case with the fine by the court?
May 16, 2023
164
Can I claim my labor rights if my employer did not renew my contract? 0
I am a doctor by profession, and my contract with my company was valid till June 2023.
Last year in September 2022, I canceled my company visa to apply for Golden Visa. After stamping my Golden Visa, my company didn't provide me with a new contract.
My question is can I continue working without a new contract?
Do I have any rights or claim of my unpaid salaries from the court in such a scenario?
May 14, 2023
189
Can we vacate the tenant after purchasing a new flat in Dubai? 1
Hi,
I bought a flat in April in Dubai with my husband. The flat has a tenant with a rental contract from the previous owner.
The tenancy contract expires in June. The tenant has previously committed to leave and now wants to stay.
1. Can we force the tenant to leave as per previous confirmations?
2. If we can't make the tenant leave, can we modify the contract (rent, number of cheques, etc) because we did not sign the original contract?
May 12, 2023
992
My friend has been charged with a case of possession of narcotics. How to defend the case? 0
Dear Lawyers,
My friend has been charged with a case of possession of a narcotic substance schedule 3 for personal use, on 1st March 2023. The quantity was very small, maybe 5 gm.
The case is now in public prosecution under investigation, and he is currently on a travel ban as well.
My question is as per the new law on drugs and as a first-time offense, what would be the verdict?
Can he get a new visa and change jobs during this phase?
How much time does it take to finish the case?
May 11, 2023
381

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Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me? 1
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system.
Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
Mar 18, 2025
68
Can I file a case against a friend for privacy breach if he claimed I scolded him for his act? 0
On Jan 2, 2025, one of my close friends did a privacy breach and recorded me and my van in some specific place.
On Feb 5, when I called and asked him why he did this to me, he went and gave a complaint that I scolded him and threatened him.
The same case was later closed by the PP when we negotiated outside the station and apologized.
At this juncture, can I file a privacy breach case against him, which happened on Jan 2, 2025, and on Feb 5 I scolded him only for the privacy breach that happened on Jan 2?
Mar 18, 2025
82
I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? 0
I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden.
Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
It was filmed with my phone camera
Mar 19, 2025
73
What are the legal consequences of my partner's voluntary withdrawal from our company? 0
Hello,
My partner voluntarily withdrew from our company which we established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
We established this company on July 1, 2024. Until now, there is no income or revenue. What is the legality?
Apr 9, 2025
98
Getting my children back from the UAE after my ex-husband took them to avoid divorce 1
Hello,
I'm in Canada, and I filed for divorce. My husband, who owns a real estate company in Abu Dhabi, kidnapped our children and took them to the UAE to avoid the divorce and force me back to him.
My children are twin boys, 8 years old, and a 10-year-old girl. What can I do?
I want to follow them and take my children back, but he says his local Emirati connections will file criminal cases against me and have me jailed if I go there. What can I do remotely?
Does the UAE return kidnapped children to their mother? In the UAE, a guardian cannot legally kidnap their own child; what does this mean for my case?
If I report him, what happens to my children? Will they be held until I arrive to take them?
Mar 3, 2025
89

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Can the brokerage company of the property buyer withhold the commission of the seller's company? 0
I am writing to seek your legal expertise and advice on a pressing issue concerning a property sale transaction that my brokerage company has facilitated.
Here are the details:
Our brokerage company represented the seller in a property sale where the property was sold with an existing rental agreement in place.
As per the terms of the agreement, the rental balance was supposed to be given to the buyer, who is now the new owner of the property.
In this transaction, our company is entitled to a 40% commission, and the buyer's brokerage company is entitled to 60%.
However, the buyer's brokerage company, which has complete control over the buyer's funds, has transferred the entire 100% commission to their own account.
They are currently withholding this commission, stating that they will release it once the rental balance is paid to the buyer.
Unfortunately, we have lost contact with the buyer, as he has blocked the seller's agent, making it impossible for us to fulfill this condition.
Nov 8, 2023
154
I am a UAE national and want study law in the UK. Can I still be a lawyer in the UAE? 0
I want to be a lawyer and study law in the UK.
I am a UAE national but I am worried about studying outside the UAE and not being able to actually become a lawyer in the UAE.
Do I really need to study in the UAE to become a lawyer here?
Oct 17, 2023
331
How can I refund money I paid to an immigration agency if nothing was done? 1
Dear Sir
I applied for Canada AIPP programs from one of the consultancy agencies in Dubai in 2021, and they told me it would take 1 year for the process. Now it’s more than 2 years.
They told me they were applying for me these years but I didn’t get any response from any company, and when I asked them to tell me where they applied, they told me it's confidential.
Now I told them to stop my process and they will refund my money but it will be very much less as per them.
Please let me know how I can get my money as I paid almost AED 9000 or how I can proceed legally.
Sep 21, 2023
267
Do I need to get my EOSB if I change visa to another company for the same owner? 3
Hi
I have been working in a company under a local sponsor with 2 partners for the last 6 years and my visa will expire next month.
However, my company has informed me that they shall transfer my visa to their other company with the same OWNER with a new partner (without a local sponsor).
In this situation, what do I need to do?
Will my previous gratuity be added to my new visa or do I need to take my end-of-service benefits and work as a new employee?
Kindly suggest.
Sep 19, 2023
565
We bought an apartment and the previous owner served an eviction notice. Can the tenant refuse to leave? 2
Hi,
We bought an apartment in July. The apartment is rented until the end of November with the previous landlord who gave them an eviction notice last year to sell the house.
Now they want to renew the contract but we don’t want to renew because we want to move into our apartment to live there.
Can we move into our apartment and the tenant has to go out?
Can the tenant refuse to move out?
Sep 13, 2023
316

Premium
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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
1
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
17
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
38
How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
21
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
41
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