Q: Dear Dr Amira, I have a legal case against me for unpaid house rent in Abu Dhabi. I am not sure what to do, shall I go to the judge and ask him to pay a downpayment? Or shall I go to the property owner to make a settlement? My only concern is that I don't want to have a travel ban. I have started a new job and it requires me to travel to Oman. Please advise, I really don't know what to do. My husband is jobless since a long time and so was I. Thank god I found a job but I have a lot of liabilities to settle, and with 4 kids, it's really difficult to survive. Please help me with advice. Thanks a lot. D.

Q: Hi, I would like to have a suggestion from one of your lawyers. There is an enforcement case against me in RDC Dubai for my rent of AED 26268. The court issued a travel ban as well as an arrest warrant for me. I want to pay but due to my financial situation as all my business was destroyed in Corona and I am looking for a job, I want to pay in maximum installments. What should I do? Thank You!

Q: Will I be stopped at the airport? There was a verdict against me due to a rent dispute about a year ago. I was ordered to vacate and pay a certain amount. I did vacate but never paid the ordered amount. I am wondering if I will be stopped at the airport while trying to exit Dubai for a few days.

Q: Hello. I had a rental dispute with my tenant and everything was in my favour. I put a travel ban and blocked her RTA and bank account. But I got to know from Dubai police that she fled the country 1 day before the travel ban was imposed. Can there be anything done?

The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.

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 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.

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.

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.