Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allLegal remedy for non-compete suit filed by ex-employer

1
Q: Hi,
I have signed a non-compete clause (under unlimited contract) with my previous company. After working for 8 years with them, they terminated me.
I have now joined a competitor considering there was no other job available in the market. Now after 7 months, my previous company has filed a legal suit asking for compensation considering I am in a similar role and in the same territory.
What is the available remedy?


Oct 29, 2019
641
Forcing an employee to sign an undertaking letter of non compete
1
Q: Hi,
I have an employment contract with a clause: non compete for 2 years in case of resignation.
But, this clause was not mentioned in my offer letter when they hired me. My question is: do I have to sign now an undertaking letter of non compete clause while leaving the company by resigning because HR is forcing me to sign the undertaking letter now?

Oct 7, 2020
3065
Is an NOC required when joining a new employer, as per the offer letter?


2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have signed an offer letter which contains the following: "The employee is not allowed to work with the company's client or direct competitor on the end of the employment without prior permission of the company".
But my labour contract with MOHRE doesn't contain any such provision. Labour contract only contains the following provision:
The Second Party shall be committed not to work in the same competing business of the First Party in UAE for the period of Two Years if the employee has terminated the employment contract or if their employment contract had expired without prejudice to the First Party’s legal or contractual obligations.
So if I want to join a client after cancelling my existing job & labour contract, is the provision for getting the "prior permission to join the client" mentioned in the offer letter still valid?
Does the offer letter have any validity after my resignation & cancellation of the existing labour contract?
Do I have to obtain an NOC?



Jan 29, 2024
265
Does a non-compete agreement outside the MOHRE contract still apply?




1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
What is the case scenario for those employees who sign a non-compete agreement in a different document?
It is not mentioned in my labor contract from MOHRE.
Does it still apply?





Jun 4, 2024
259
Can my former employer file a case against me for working with a former client?

1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
I’m returning to Dubai after being away for a month and moving to a client of my previous company.
Can my former employer file a case against me three months after my visa cancellation?


Aug 15, 2024
111
I resigned and joined another company and facing a case based on the non-compete agreement. What to do? 



0
Q: Hi.
I have resigned from a company to move out of the country. Later I decided to come back and I asked them if they could take me back.
They declined and I have a message stating that I'm free to join anywhere. I joined a new organization and they are filing a labor case for a non-compete clause and not clearing my FnF.




Dec 9, 2024
90
Can my old employer sue me for a non-compete clause that's only in the offer letter?


0
Q: Hi,
I was previously working in a company based in DMCC and have now moved to Hamriyah Free Zone. In my DMCC contract, there was no mention of a non-compete, but my offer letter includes one.
Now, in my new organization, if my old customers start to contact me for business, am I liable for any legal action from my previous employer?



Apr 28, 2025
21
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 233
The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.
Sep 10, 2024
92363
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.
Apr 20, 1980
103747
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.
Sep 27, 2015
12459
Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).
Sep 20, 2021
26909

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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
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How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
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After closing the company, can an investor stay in the UAE until the residence visa expires? 0
Hello,
An investor has a residence visa valid until February 2027; however, he wishes to close the company before the current license expires in December 2025.
Can the investor still legally reside in the UAE until the residence visa expires?
Apr 29, 2025
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Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
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What can a company do if an employee agrees to stay but then stops reporting to work? 0
Hello,
My employee provided a resignation. Our company offered a salary raise and made a deal with him where he agreed to continue with us, but it’s not on paper.
He suddenly stopped coming to work, stating he doesn’t want to work anymore.
What rights do we have as a company, and what can we do about it?
Apr 30, 2025
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Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me? 1
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system.
Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
Mar 18, 2025
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I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? 0
I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden.
Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
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Mar 19, 2025
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We won the case with the RDC to evict the tenant. What happens after waiting the cooling period? 0
We won the case with the RDC that the tenant has to evict the property. We are told there is a cooling period before they say the date he has to leave.
How long is the cooling period he can appeal and then what happens next if he appeals and if he doesn't?
He was served the one-year notice and then refused to leave, hence the case we raised with RDC and won.
Thank you
Mar 19, 2025
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Can a free zone visa holder work remotely across the UAE while visiting the company weekly? 1
Hello,
Is it legally permissible for an employee holding a Fujairah free zone visa with a job role in sales and marketing to primarily work remotely from various locations, including Dubai, while visiting the Fujairah-based company once a week?
The employee would meet clients and conduct business activities on the UAE mainland.
Does this arrangement comply with UAE labor laws?
Mar 19, 2025
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What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? 1
Hello lawyers,
Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
How many hours are they entitled to?
Mar 20, 2025
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كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
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How can we recover a salary advance to a new employee if he fails to come to duty and uses alcohol? 0
As the HR manager of a company, I have issued a salary advance to the employee. Upon joining, he failed to go to duty and used alcohol daily in the camp.
I have a signed thumb-impression cash receipt. What options do I have to recover the AED 7000 advance paid to the employee?
Please help.
Regards,
B.
Apr 16, 2025
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Can my sister file a claim for compensation after a criminal case for sexual harassment? 0
Hello,
My sister filed a criminal case against her employer (sexual harassment), and it is already with the Public Prosecutor.
Her employer refuses to compensate her at all. Can we file a civil claim? When should we do it?
Can we still file a civil claim after the judgment of the case?
Apr 25, 2025
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هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟ 0
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟
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Can I use my husband's case number to get information about his exit date? 0
Hello,
I have my husband's case number. Can I get information about his exit date using the case number?
Fujairah Jail.
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Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
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My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
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How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
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Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
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