Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allA friend borrowed money and won't pay back. What to do?


3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I lent Dh35,000 to a friend in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was under financial stress.
Now, when I ask him to repay the loan, he either does not pick up my calls or tells me that he is still not in a position to return the money. I also have a husband and the money is important to me.
What can I do to get my money back?
I have WhatsApp conversations and some remittance receipts from when he asked me for the money.
I paid him in cash. Can I file a police complaint?
Is there any other way to get my money back? I don't want to get him in trouble, but I also really need him to return my money. What should I do?



Jun 7, 2023
1422
How can I claim back money lent to a friend based on a loan agreement?
1
Q: Good evening,
I lent AED 49,960 to a friend. She has written and signed a loan agreement letter about this. I even have a pic of her holding this agreement in her hands.
The problem I have now is that she has blocked me on WhatsApp and I can’t reach her there. I’m afraid she will run away with this.
What can I do?
Warm regards
K.

Jul 19, 2023
152
A friend of mine has taken the money and denies it. How to get it back?


2
Q: A friend of mine has taken money from me and denies to pay it back.
I need legal help.



Jan 5, 2023
416
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allContracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1185
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal 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
75516
Federal Law No. (10) of 1992 On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions 14
The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.
Jan 15, 1992
19191

Premium
Other answers by
Can the landlord evict me even after paying the rental cheque amount partially? 0
I lost my job two months and my rent was for six cheques, 6432, and I paid AED 2250 partially in this particular cheque as I am waiting for some funds.
Can the landlord evict me even after paying partially, as I am asking him for 10 more days to clear the rent?
Please advise.
Jun 30, 2025
14
How can I remove overstay fines so that my new employer can issue my visa? 0
I am writing to seek your legal advice regarding a complex immigration issue involving a person currently overstaying in Abu Dhabi.
His visa has expired, and although he received a job offer from a company in January 2025, the new visa process has not moved forward due to outstanding fines.
To resolve the issue, he applied to the court in November 2024 to request a reduction in the overstay fine.
He received a notification/link in January 2025 to visit immigration, but unfortunately, he could not attend due to serious health issues related to uric acid, which left him unable to walk.
Additionally, he was unable to seek medical help due to the lack of health insurance and severe financial difficulties.
He is now in a position where he wants to regularize his status in the UAE, clear any pending issues, and find a job to support his family.
We kindly request your guidance.
We would greatly appreciate your support in helping to resolve this matter in the best possible way.
Thank you
Jun 30, 2025
18
Can I go without the bailiff to receive the keys of my house from the tenant based on a court judgment? 0
Hi,
My tenant was not paying rent, so I filed a case and won it. The court has given a bailiff eviction date of 7th July. The tenant also has outstanding rent plus court fees to pay.
The tenant called me and proposed an out-of-court settlement. She is offering to hand over the keys today, along with her furniture, to compensate for the outstanding rent.
I don't trust the tenant as she has lied many times. She's asking me to come visit the apartment to look at the furniture and take the keys.
1. Please advise if it's ok to visit the apartment and take the keys and furniture without involving the bailiff. Do I need to report the furniture adjustment against the rent due to the court?
2. Can she create any other problem on my physical visit, although I have WhatsApp messages of her request?
3. Can she request payment installments from the court if I don't agree to take her furniture?
4. Can I write down the settlement with her on a plain piece of paper with her signature?
Jun 18, 2025
76
Can we file a case against a customer who launched a campaign online against our business reputation? 0
Hello,
A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai.
The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking.
The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund.
The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused.
The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings.
Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?
Jun 11, 2025
113
How can we remove a partner from the license if he is present but unresponsive? 0
Good day!
One of our partners on the license has not been in communication since November 2024.
He is also in Dubai but is not answering phone calls or replying to messages.
What is the procedure to remove his name from the license in this situation without his absence?
Please advise!
Jun 2, 2025
48

Premium
Other answers by
What can I do if the employer refuses to compensation and settlement after terminating me without notice? 0
I work for a Meydan Freezone employer under a limited contract. The employer has terminated my contract without notice after 1 year and is not offering to pay 3 months' compensation severance, nor a notice period, nor a correct settlement.
They are asking me to sign a contract to waive it. I contacted MOHRE, who stated you need a NOC or referral letter from Meydan, but Meydan stated they do not issue one, and private matters and disputes are between you and the employer.
May 21, 2025
52
Can I get a UAE police clearance for US immigration if I was deported in 2022? 0
Hello,
I'm living outside the UAE now.
Can I get a police clearance for US immigration purposes even though I had a case and was deported in 2022?
Jun 3, 2025
85
Can I be sued for posting an honest 1-star review about an upsetting experience? 0
Hello,
I recently made a Google review (and gave 1 star) regarding a grooming gone wrong to my fur baby's long, beautiful coat. Everything was done badly and so wrong; it was so upsetting and disappointing.
The owner reached out and gave some free vitamins to my baby boy and even offered to share my résumé with his contacts because I am currently searching for a job.
After an hour, the owner called asking me to delete my review. I messaged him not to pressure me or force me into doing something I don’t want to do, and told him I didn’t expect he wanted me to delete the review in exchange for the vitamins he gave for my fur baby.
I updated my review and mentioned that I appreciated the gesture. But he called again, threatening that his business partner might file a case against me.
Can they really do that to me, even if I didn’t directly ask for the vitamins and I didn’t say any bad word against their company?
I just made an honest review based on an upsetting and frustrating grooming service.
May 21, 2025
43
How can I avoid salary account seizure if Dubai Courts have ordered my assets to be frozen? 0
Hello,
Dubai Courts have sent a circular to freeze my assets in a cheque execution case dating back to 2023.
An installment plan was in place, but I missed payments.
The outstanding amount is AED 26,000. How can I avoid seizure of my salary bank account?
Thank you!
May 22, 2025
58
Are weekends before and after leave excluded from the annual leave balance? 0
Hello,
According to UAE labor law, is it correct that weekends before the start date and after the end date of annual leave are not counted?
Example: if the leave is applied from Monday to Friday, how many days should be deducted from the annual leave balance?
May 21, 2025
59

Premium
Other answers by
What can you do if the bank filed a case against despite paying the loan by insurance after losing job? 0
Hello Sir,
My friend had a large personal loan and paid installments for 1.5 years before losing his job.
A criminal case was filed in 2019, but he was cleared with a fine as the judge accepted that job loss insurance covered the loan. Funds were credited (shown in the statement & SMS), and customer service confirmed twice that the loan was cleared.
He also paid AED 10K+ interest for the insurance. A year later, a cheque case was filed by a debt company and bank—he won with the same documents. Now, in Jan 2025, the bank filed a commercial case.
The court appointed an expert, but the expert ignored his evidence. he showed that a key page of the contract (stating job loss insurance) was missing from the bank’s submission.
The bank told the expert the credited amount was a “loan write-off,” but gave no proof. The expert never investigated his findings.
I need advice on whether this verdict can be appealed and whether it’s worth pursuing further. My friend is in India now
Jul 1, 2025
9
How can I remove overstay fines so that my new employer can issue my visa? 0
I am writing to seek your legal advice regarding a complex immigration issue involving a person currently overstaying in Abu Dhabi.
His visa has expired, and although he received a job offer from a company in January 2025, the new visa process has not moved forward due to outstanding fines.
To resolve the issue, he applied to the court in November 2024 to request a reduction in the overstay fine.
He received a notification/link in January 2025 to visit immigration, but unfortunately, he could not attend due to serious health issues related to uric acid, which left him unable to walk.
Additionally, he was unable to seek medical help due to the lack of health insurance and severe financial difficulties.
He is now in a position where he wants to regularize his status in the UAE, clear any pending issues, and find a job to support his family.
We kindly request your guidance.
We would greatly appreciate your support in helping to resolve this matter in the best possible way.
Thank you
Jun 30, 2025
18
Can I go without the bailiff to receive the keys of my house from the tenant based on a court judgment? 0
Hi,
My tenant was not paying rent, so I filed a case and won it. The court has given a bailiff eviction date of 7th July. The tenant also has outstanding rent plus court fees to pay.
The tenant called me and proposed an out-of-court settlement. She is offering to hand over the keys today, along with her furniture, to compensate for the outstanding rent.
I don't trust the tenant as she has lied many times. She's asking me to come visit the apartment to look at the furniture and take the keys.
1. Please advise if it's ok to visit the apartment and take the keys and furniture without involving the bailiff. Do I need to report the furniture adjustment against the rent due to the court?
2. Can she create any other problem on my physical visit, although I have WhatsApp messages of her request?
3. Can she request payment installments from the court if I don't agree to take her furniture?
4. Can I write down the settlement with her on a plain piece of paper with her signature?
Jun 18, 2025
76
My employer has not issued my residence visa yet and I am in overstay. What can I do? 0
I came on an E-visa (employment visa) from Uganda to the UAE, and my employer didn't make my residence visa. Now I have been in overstay for 24 days.
What should I do?
Jun 24, 2025
52
Can we file a case against a customer who launched a campaign online against our business reputation? 0
Hello,
A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai.
The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking.
The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund.
The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused.
The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings.
Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?
Jun 11, 2025
113

Premium
Other answers by
Can I cancel my house sale contract without extra fees after personal plans changed? 2
Dear Lawyers,
I signed a Form F with a buyer for the sale of my house as we were planning to leave the country. The contract was signed about a month ago, but the handover is not until August.
Due to personal circumstances changing, we are no longer leaving Dubai and would like to cancel Form F.
The Form F contract stipulates that we have to pay the buyer 10% of the purchase value. The real estate agent is now claiming that we also have to pay the buyer's real estate commission and the conveyancing fee.
Our understanding is that the 10% penalty is the only penalty. Which is correct, and what are the next steps to dispute this?
Also, is there any way to dispute the 10% itself under the law due to personal circumstances changing?
Jul 12, 2024
675
How to know if an offer letter I received from a company in the UAE is legit? 2
I got an offer letter from Al-Haldin Gulf Construction & Petroleum LLC. Can you please advise about the company?
Mar 18, 2024
287
Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do? 2
Hello,
I have a tenant who is always late with their payment. Their renewal was supposed to be last December 2023.
Currently, they have not signed any new contract, provided any new cheques, and have stayed for three months from December until now without paying rent.
Additionally, I just discovered that they have sublet the apartment with partitions, which is clearly stated as not allowed in the old contract.
Please let me know what should I do legally!
Mar 14, 2024
520
How soon will I receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer? 1
Dear Concern,
How long will it take to receive the cancellation paper from my previous employer?
My last working day at my current company will be on April 7, 2024.
Mar 16, 2024
339
Tenant received renewal notice, rejected proposed rent on renewal day. What next? 2
Hi,
We sent a renewal notice to our Dubai-based tenant 84 days before his contract renewal, with a 10% increase in rent.
The tenant neither agreed nor disagreed with the proposed rent and replied on the day of renewal that he wouldn't be paying the proposed rent.
Due to the argument, the landlord decided to reduce the rent, but the tenant has not yet renewed his contract. It has been 12 days since his contract expired.
Kindly suggest what could be done in this matter.
Mar 12, 2024
331

Other answers by
My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
65
Can I apply for a golden visa during my notice period after resigning? 3
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to know if I can apply for a Golden Visa despite having resigned and currently serving a notice period.
Mar 6, 2024
448
Lived in Dubai in 2009, couldn't pay credit card debts. Can I return now? 9
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was living in Dubai in 2009 and using some credit cards that I was unable to pay due to some problems.
Now, in February 2024, can I enter Dubai again?
Please guide me!
Feb 29, 2024
615
Responsibility for supplier payments in an LLC company – manager or partners? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a partner of an LLC company with a 33 percent stake in mainland Dubai, along with two other partners who have equal shares.
I just want to know if I will be responsible for any payment liabilities of suppliers, or if it will be the responsibility of the company manager, as I am not actively involved in the business.
Mar 1, 2024
180
Ongoing labor case: Can I renew my tourist visa and exit before it expires? 2
Hi,
I have an ongoing labor case, but my tourist visa is about to expire on December 25.
Can I renew my visa and exit?
Dec 22, 2023
164
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer