Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allThe law governing payment of invoices in the UAE
1
Q: Which law governs unpaid invoices in the UAE? Which act and section (article number)?

Feb 28, 2021
889
Filing commercial cases for the recovery of unpaid invoices
1
Q: Hi!
This is M. M., from [------] Ltd. India. We had exported 2 containers of onion to a buyer in Dubai in November 2018, with payment terms 50% against BL and balance upon delivery.
As on today, the buyer is failed to make the payment. Kindly advise us how u can help us to recover the outstanding & what will be your charges for the legal proceeding.
With thanks, I expect your early response.
Best regards,
M. M.

Feb 11, 2019
409
Filing a case for recovering unpaid invoices from a customer


1
Q: A Puerto Rican based company supplies products to a resident company in the UAE. The UAE resident company refused to settle the payment.
No formal agreement was there, only the shipping documents in the name of the customer and invoices are present.
Can we file a case against the UAE resident company in the UAE while we are not registered in the UAE?



May 24, 2019
1080
Legal blog
4 available 4 • View allHow 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
713
How 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
502
Failing to Honour Bounced Cheques in Loans and Other Transactions 8
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.
Jan 15, 2020
7112
Case Summary in DIFC Courts, Small Claims Tribunal 3
Introduction: In the case of [A] v [B] [2024] DIFC SCT, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal addressed a dispute concerning the non-payment of invoices. Natalie, the claimant, alleged that Nola, the defendant, had failed to fulfill payment obligations outlined in an Engagement Agreement dated November 23, 2023.
May 2, 2024
298
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • 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
148521
Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Issuing the Commercial Transactions Law 19
This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.
Sep 7, 1993
33057
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
75386

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I received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. Does this include lawyer fees? 0
I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees.
However, RDC says that legal fees do not mean lawyer fees; they are RDC fees only.
Is this correct?
Feb 14, 2025
118
The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your time.
The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant?
Will I be asked questions?
Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response?
Thank you again for your time.
Feb 7, 2025
166
Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
Dear lawyers,
The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date.
Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?
Feb 4, 2025
140
I received a termination letter from my company for restructuring. Is this considered arbitrary dismissal? 0
I received a termination letter from my company on January 31st, 2025, with a one-month notice period, stating my last working day as February 28th, 2025.
The reason given for the termination is "considering the current business scenario, the company has considered measures to reorganize the business."
Could this be considered arbitrary dismissal?
Am I entitled to any compensation or benefits from the company as a result of this termination?
Feb 5, 2025
124
Do I need to hire a lawyer if I found I have a marital case against me in the court? 1
By checking in Al Adheed, I have found there is a marital matter case against me in Dubai Courts. There is a hearing date for next week and the time mentioned in the case status with a link for an online hearing.
However, I have not received any message from Dubai courts regarding this by mail or phone. I have all contact details updated with EID. In this case, what should I do?
I don’t know what the case is about.
Should I hire a lawyer or I can attend the hearing by myself?
Please do suggest options.
Feb 3, 2025
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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
153
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
329
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
262
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
561
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
314

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Terminating an employee after sick leave and claiming compensation 2
Hello,
My employer fired me under Article 44 for not showing up for work for 7 days in a row. But that’s not the case at all. I was sick and the management was aware and they let me go.
I went to another country to get treatment because it’s expensive in Dubai. My employer did not pay me my salary for the month I worked and fired me.
I have official sick leave from another country and there is correspondence where my employer sent me to another country for treatment.
The problem is that the employer says that he will take compensation for the training that was specified in the contract, but I did not undergo training at all; I immediately started work from the first day of work and there was no training.
Does my employer have the right to charge me such a fee and not pay my salary?
Feb 29, 2024
484
How to make the seller hand over the tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale? 1
Should the seller in Dubai hand over their tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale?
Who is responsible for managing this process?
At the time of the exchange, the broker said he would follow up with the seller and collect the deposit.
He hasn’t, and the seller has not handed over the deposit.
Feb 8, 2024
442
How to deal with in-laws provoking and recording reactions? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
My husband's family constantly provokes me and then records my every exaggerated reaction.
Now I'm worried that they might use those things against me.
Feb 8, 2024
263
How to cancel the MoU to buy an apartment with the broker if the bank did not approve the loan? 2
Hi,
I have a situation where I signed an MoU and gave my security deposit to the seller's agent. However later, the bank valuation of the property is lower than the selling price.
On my MoU, it has a clause that “the buyer has a right to cancel/negotiate if the bank valuation is not the same as MoU.” I tried to negotiate, however, we didn't agree on the price so I asked to cancel.
Now the agent is threatening me that they will not cancel the MoU and that will deposit my cheque. Later I also came to know that the person I am dealing with is not the same person whose name is mentioned as a broker in the MoU.
The agent I am dealing with is constantly messaging me with threats. I decided not to speak to him and instead, I wrote an email to the broker whose name is mentioned on the MoU but received no response.
I am on a very tight timeline as I need to vacate my apartment in 3 weeks, I found another unit but I don't know if I can pursue this while the initial MoU still not canceled.
Please, I need advice.
Feb 8, 2024
654
Employer asking for visa reimbursement after resignation: do I need to pay? 3
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have already finished my first year with my company and resigned.
My employer is asking me to reimburse the cost of my visa because I did not finish my two-year contract.
Do I need to pay? The cost is 7,000 AED.
Oct 20, 2023
827

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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
81
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
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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
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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
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What does it imply when public prosecution puts an arrest warrant and no travel ban? 1
Hello lawyers!
Please help me, what does it imply when public prosecution puts an arrest warrant and no travel ban?
Thank you in advance
Dec 30, 2024
145
مغربي يريد الزواج مرة ثانية في الإمارات. هل يُطبَّق القانون المغربي الذي يشترط موافقة الزوجة الأولى؟ 1
السلام عليكم،
أنا مغربي وزوجتي مغربية، نقيم في الشارقة. أريد أن أتزوج امرأة ثانية مغربية. تجب موافقة الزوجة الأولى على التعدُّد في القانون المغربي.
هل يُطبَّق هذا القانون عليّ إن تم الزواج في الإمارات؟
Sep 26, 2024
197
كيف نتعامل مع عامل غادر العمل وتغيب لمدة أسبوع؟ 1
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته،
عامل ترك العمل نتيجة سؤال التحريات عنه، ولا يوجد مكان له نعلمه، وتغيب لمدة أسبوع. ماذا نفعل؟
Oct 2, 2024
144
How do I evict a tenant from a commercial property I purchased for personal use? 1
Dear Lawyers,
If I purchase a commercial property with a tenant but wish to evict the tenant for my own personal use, what is the process, and how much notice do I have to give them?
Sep 22, 2024
278
Is the manager or shareholder liable to pay the debts of a limited liability company? 1
Dear Lawyers,
Is the manager or shareholder liable to pay the debts of a limited liability company?
How can a manager or shareholder be exempted from paying the company's debts?
Please advise!
Sep 21, 2024
126

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Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
7
هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟ 0
السلام عليكم
هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات (أب إماراتي يحمل جواز من الشارقة ، أم وافدة) في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟
هل يمنع من استخراج شهاده ميلاد؟ وما هي الإجراءات والعقوبات المتوقعة؟
مع العلم بأن الأب معترف بالطفل قبل الزواج وبعده.
شكراً
Apr 25, 2025
18
What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer? 0
Hello,
We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date.
We would appreciate guidance on the following:
1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount?
2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?
3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases?
4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Apr 25, 2025
48
How can I register a complaint against my employer for holding my passport after visa cancellation? 0
My new employer is not changing my visa status and refuses to provide cancellation papers, especially when I don’t recall signing any cancellation documents and haven’t received my gratuity yet.
How can I register a complaint against my employer for holding my passport after visa cancellation?
I had completed my one-month notice period and followed all procedures properly when I resigned. I'm currently working in a free zone company.
Apr 18, 2025
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Can my work visa be canceled if I have ongoing loan and credit card payments? 1
Hello,
I am switching jobs soon.
Can my current work visa be canceled if I still have a personal loan and credit cards that I am making payments on?
Feb 24, 2025
287
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