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: Hi Mr Naser, Thanks for your fast response. We are based in Abu Dhabi. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, will the judge decide on the amount for instalments in this civil case? Won't he consider what we say how much we can pay? Q.2 During eviction case, when the rent/lease expires and since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq which expires as well, will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.3 My friend has a bank loan of AED 60K approx from a bank here in the UAE and he did not pay for the last 7 or 8 months. This bank has a branch in Pakistan. If he travels to Pakistan due to an emergency and the bank proceeds with its action, what action(s) will that be? (So far no action from the bank) Q.4 If he goes to Pakistan, what will be the consequences for an already running civil case of a bank loan default? Q.5 for a credit card security cheque bounce, can a bank directly file a civil case?

Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

س: السلام عليكم. أعطيت شيك لشخص منذ عام 2013 وسددت له ربع قيمته. بعد ذلك تأثر عملي ولم يعد باستطاعتي أن أدفع، ولم يتقدم بالشيك إلا في العام 2018 وتم فتح البلاغ. كيف أتعامل مع هذه المشكلة علماً أنه قدم الشيك للبنك بعد مدة طويلة تزيد عن 6 أشهر؟ شكراً

س: السلام عليكم. أعطيت شيك لشخص منذ فترة طويلة ولم يتقدم بأي بلاغ حتى الشهر الماضي. تم إنهاء خدماته وغادر الدولة. تواصلت معه فقال أنه أعطى وكالة لولده. هل يستطيع ولده السير بالقضية، وهناك حيثيات يتوجب علي الأب أن يجيب عليها ويحال طلبه لحلف اليمين؟ هل تسري الوكالة بهذه الحالة أم تعتبر باطلة بحكم أن الشخص خارج الدولة؟ شكراً

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.

بطبعه وطبيعته، كان القانون وما زال كائناً متطوراً وجسداً متجدداً، ولولا هذه الصفات فيه، لما حقق الغرض الذي من أجله خُلق ووُضع. وسمات التطور والتجدد ليست قاصرةً على فرع دون آخر، أو نوع من بين الأنواع، بل هي سمات ملحوظة في القانونين العام والخاص، وفي المجالين، الموضوعي والإجرائي.

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 Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).