Hi, I need some guidance regarding a property transaction that is not progressing as expected. My broker initiated a manual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between me (the Buyer) and the Seller, with an expiry date of 01/02/2025. Within this period, I successfully arranged the bank mortgage, property evaluation, and NOC. However, the broker started giving excuses, such as the seller being hospitalized. Later, the broker attempted to arrange a Power of Attorney (POA). However, after that, they started ignoring my messages and calls. It now seems like they no longer intend to proceed with me, and the MOU has already expired. Meanwhile, my bank EMI has already started, and I have paid two monthly installments. The broker is still unresponsive. I have raised multiple complaints through DLD RVS against the broker, but the response has been very slow and unsatisfactory. I’m feeling stuck and financially burdened. Please advise

Hi there, My husband and I are Muslims. My husband passed away recently. We have a Canadian will, but I understand that it won’t be honored as I am named the sole beneficiary, and that does not align with Sharia laws in the UAE. He was not a UAE resident but had a small apartment with no Will in the UAE. We have 3 children. I am planning to go to Dubai to start an inheritance case. I don’t know the exact order of events and what needs to be done first. 1) Do I initiate anything from overseas before making travel plans to Dubai, or do I start once I arrive in Dubai? Mind you, we cannot afford to stay in Dubai for too long, as the kids have school. 2) Do I need a lawyer, or can this be done by myself? 3) I understand all foreign documents need to be authenticated before presenting them to the court. But I don’t know at what stage I would need these documents authenticated. I would appreciate it if you could provide a breakdown of the steps, the forms that are needed, and where I can find them. Thank you

The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee specified in the contract. He is forcing the landlord to directly renew the agreement without any agent in between, and the landlord is uncomfortable dealing with him directly. The tenant submitted a renewal contract in RDC with an offer and deposit case with modified terms and conditions, and removed the addendum, which is an integral part of the existing contract. Parallelly, he submitted an Ejari request to the landlord for approval. The landlord rejected his offer and deposit request at the RDC portal due to non-compliance with the existing contract. Accordingly, his Ejari request was also rejected. Since then, the tenant has not approached the landlord for renewal. The landlord is willing to renew the contract without any change in the existing contract and addendum. How can the landlord secure the renewal cheques and conclude the contract? Can he ask the tenant to vacate the apartment? Please advise

Hello, I bought a property that was tenanted. However, the tenant absconded and claims he handed it over to the previous owner. I was never informed of this by either the tenant or the landlord. The landlord’s failure to hand over the property has caused us significant issues. We also purchased the house for its good rental yield, and it feels like some kind of scam. What legal actions can we pursue?

Needed to know if I am eligible to file for mutual divorce as an Indian expat living in Dubai and holding an Indian passport and also have Canadian PR. My husband is a Canadian citizen working in Saudi on a work visa. What are my rights? Can I ask for alimony? Can I file for divorce from Dubai? I have no children from the marriage.

Hello, I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country. Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved? Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.

Hello, I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share. After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired. What to do with his 25% share, please?

I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything? What documents do I need to carry?

Hello, How much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court? And what's the probability of freezing my account or traffic file if I’m paying?

I used to work as a manager in a company, and my name was removed by the Dubai court of execution.  Now, on the paid rent, I got a travel ban, which I objected to at RDC. The RDC accepted and gave the next hearing date, as I will have all the court papers. Is there any way to remove the travel ban, as the objections I made at the execution hearing are next month, almost one month? Is there any way you can put the amount as a deposit, and once the objection case is over, you can take it back?

Hello, Is it legal to reduce the salary after signing an employment contract?

I raised a cheque execution case against a company and its owner and won. There is a travel ban on him. I was receiving installments for three months and now he stopped paying. The court after request summoned him. In total, he paid only 30% of the owed money. I found that his company license is expired and also in the month his visa will expire. Does he have any option to avoid payment? Please note he was deceived by showing no money in his bank account and no assets in his name but he is running multiple businesses. Also a month ago, he tried to convince me to lift the travel ban but I refused to do so. But he submitted a guarantee and left UAE. Now the status shows he is back in the UAE and the travel ban imposed again. But after that, he stopped payment. Is there a 1% chance of him not paying me the remaining money? Is there a way he can leave the country through the Amnesty program or any of this sort?

Hello, In EMARATAX (The Federal Tax Authority), if someone has two licenses in different emirates for the same activity, does he need to register two taxable persons, or how should he proceed?

Hello, I purchased a one-bedroom off-plan unit in Dubai from a well-known developer under an SPA specifying an area of 801 sq. ft. I completed all payments as per the developer’s payment plan, and the unit was handed over to me without a Title Deed. After taking possession, furnishing the unit, signing a tenancy contract, and making repeated follow-ups to obtain my Title Deed, the developer informed me, 45 days after handover, that the actual area was 1,041.41 sq. ft., a 30% increase from the original SPA terms. To receive my Title Deed, they are now demanding payment for the increased size. Key issues: - Failure to notify me before handover about the 30% increase in area. - The SPA allows for price adjustments for area variations but specifies that such adjustments must be reflected in the final installment, which I had already fully paid before handover. - The developer has now filed a legal case through Dubai Courts, demanding payment. I require legal advice based on RERA/DLD laws and the SPA.

Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

Hello, I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country. Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved? Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.

Hello, I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share. After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired. What to do with his 25% share, please?

I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything? What documents do I need to carry?

Hello, I'm currently looking for legal advice regarding an online defamation case. I am a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines. The person I want to file a complaint against is also a Filipino citizen and is currently based in Dubai. I have already sought legal consultation, but it cost me a lot for just a simple session. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford to proceed with the fees required for sending a warning or demand letter to the person I’m complaining about. I would really appreciate any help, guidance, or information about possible free or low-cost legal services. Thank you for your time!

Dear colleagues, According to Article 15 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (“Executive Regulations”), employees occupying supervisory roles are exempt from the provisions of the Labour Law and the Executive Regulations in relation to maximum working hours only if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer. Could you please clarify what is meant by "if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer"? Currently, we have heads of departments who report to the directors. Will they be eligible for overtime? Also, those who have a POA to sign contracts will they be eligible? Or, those who temporarily replace the CEO while he is out, will they be eligible?

Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

Hello, A tenant damaged the property I recently purchased upon their eviction, and the security deposit does not cover all of the damages. I would like to know how I can take action against the tenant. Does any proof need to be submitted? If yes, what proofs are required since I bought an already tenanted property? What is the timeframe and process to seek compensation for the damages?

Hello, I was supposed to renew my rental contract in early February, but due to harassment and threats, we agreed in rental court that we would settle and move out. Now, while awaiting the verdict, the landlord has gone ahead and canceled DEWA. What can I do? Isn’t that illegal?

Hello, If I have a deportation due to a criminal case, and while serving time inside, a civil case is opened against me, does that stop my deportation?

Hi, I have leased out a shop in Dubai, but due to huge financial losses and my husband's job loss, I can't afford to pay the rent. Meanwhile, my landlord has filed a case for eviction and payment of rent. Right now, my condition is getting better as my husband has got a job and is ready to pay the rent in installments. Can I pay in installments and hold the shop even if the judgment goes against me?