Q: Q.1 Can a bank file a civil case for a credit card bounced cheque against a person, without filing a police case? Q.2 A person's rent cheque for residential apartment bounced, real estate property dealer files police case on him, the court gives him fine for X amount and closes the police case. The question is, will there be a time bar by law to wait for 2 or more months before they file a civil case against the tenant? Q.3 Under which circumstances there is jail for a rent cheque bounce in the judgement of a civil case? (Considering that the tenant faced police case, which is closed now and the tenant paid fine also for that as per the judgement of the court)

Q: A judgement issued today in a criminal case for stealing has resulted in a jail term of three months. An appeal application hearing has been made, in order to turn the jail term into a fine. The appeal date has been set for January 2018, and we were informed that we can make an application to have the appeal heard earlier, is this possible? We would like to convert and pay the fine as soon as possible, in order for the subject to be closed and the accused to have his passport back.

Q: I had a bounced cheque case with a bank, for which I was sentenced to 2 years in absentia. However, I made a one-time full payment and final settlement with the bank and paid them the amount. Will the sentence get removed? How do I get it removed?

Q: Hi, I needed to know if the court issues a judgment of 2 or 3 months jail term in cheque bounce case, is there a way to reverse the judgment or avoid the sentence? Possibly if the creditor withdraws the case? I have received a judgment of a jail term of 2 months for AED 1 Million security cheque bounce against a loan that is 75% paid off and a 3 months jail term for multiple cheques to a single supplier valued at AED 48,000.00 approx. What can I do avoid jail terms and wondering how AED 48k cumulative value would result in jail term? Appreciate a solution for this. Thanks.

Q: Salam Ibrahim. Hope all is well. I have an unpaid loan with one of the banks and a judgement was made with a one-year jail sentence. I no longer live in Dubai. If I settle with the bank, can the bank reverse the judgement?

Q: I have two criminal cases for cheque bounce in Al Ain Court for the same party; the first case amount is 1,006,000 AED (13 cheques) and the second case amount is 400,000 AED (one cheque). What will be the possible action against me? Prison or fine? What will be the maximum? Thanks!

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.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

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.