Q: Hi madam, If a lot of cheques equal to AED 300,000 have been bounced and cases are filed and a travel ban imposed, what will be the punishments or consequences to be faced if caught? I can't afford to pay back even 1,000 Dhs. Will I have to pay the full amount? Please advise. Thanks

Q: Salaam Alaikum The bank bounced a cheque of AED 103,000 for my business partner and filed a criminal case. My partner has already paid "more" than the cheque amount of AED 106,585. We have full proof. Only AED 53,000 was outstanding - this is mostly interest, legal charges, late charges and fines. The rest is all paid properly. Unfortunately, this year his business had a lot of losses. As he was unable to pay the full amount, as per new Dubai laws and Police, he paid 10,000 AED fine and got the criminal case removed by the public prosecutor a few days ago. Now, the bank told him they will file a civil case. What happens now? How many weeks will it take to get a court hearing and what's his recourse?

Q: Salaam Alaikum The bank bounced a cheque of AED 103,000 for my business partner and filed a criminal case. My partner has already paid "more" than the cheque amount of AED 106,585. We have full proof. Only AED 53,000 was outstanding - this is mostly interest, legal charges, late charges and fines. The rest is all paid properly. Unfortunately, this year his business had a lot of losses. As he was unable to pay the full amount, as per new Dubai laws and Police, he paid 10,000 AED fine and got the criminal case removed by the public prosecutor a few days ago. Now, the bank told him they will file a civil case. What happens now? How many weeks will it take to get a court hearing and what's his recourse?

س: أودع المُنفَّذ ضده شيكًا مؤجلاً بعد شهر لمبلغ التنفيذ. ماذا يحدث في حالة ارتجاع الشيك؟

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.

يلعب الشيك دوراً مهماً في الحياة اليومية سواء في ميدان المعاملات التجارية أو في ميدان المعلامات المدنية باعتباره أداة وفاء والتزام تحل محل النقود في التعامل بين الافراد. ونظراً لهذه الأهمية فقد أصبح أكثر الأوراق التجارية انتشاراً وتداولاً بين الناس، على الرغم من حداثته نوعاً ما. فالشيك لم يبق كما كان في بداية عهده أداة لسحب الودائع المصرفية لحساب الساحب ذاته، بل أصبح أداة وفاء تحل محل النقود سواء على النطاق الداخلي بالنسبة للمعاملات التي يقوم بها الأفراد داخل الدولة فحسب وزادت أهميته.

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.

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.