Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allWhat are the implications of a defamation lawsuit if I am not a resident?

3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Can a clinic and a doctor sue me for defamation if I mention the doctor's name in a negative review of the clinic on Google Maps?
Also if they were to proceed with legal action, as they are threatening to do so if I don’t take the review down, how would that affect me as I am not a resident in Dubai and only visit once every 6 months?


Jun 21, 2023
132
Can my former employer sue me for writing a bad review online?


1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I recently wrote a bad review on Google about my former employer (a clinic). I wrote about its micromanagement and toxic work environment.
Everything I wrote was 100% true, and I did not violate any confidentiality or publish any false information.
Now, my former employer has threatened to sue me for defamation. They say I will be sentenced to jail or fined.
Is this legally true? Am I really in trouble?



May 1, 2023
128
Considering a bad review on social media as defamation


4
Q: I hired a maid from an agency in December. The maid did emotional and physical damage to my family. I wrote a bad review of the agency on Google Maps, Facebook, and Instagram. Now the agency is harassing me every day asking me to delete it.
They blocked me on Instagram. When I refused, they offered me 500 AED. I refused and said no. Now they are threatening me that they will file a case against me for defamation! Is this considered defamation under UAE law?



Apr 2, 2020
1904
How to address a damaging Google review and online defamation?




3
Q: Hi,
We own a small pet shop business in Dubai, and a customer posted an extremely damaging Google review, advising people not to use our services.
She was initially very pleased after her dog was groomed, paid for the service, and even thanked the groomer for the excellent job—all of which we have on CCTV.
However, a few days later, she posted a terrible review, shouted at our staff, left a threatening voicemail, and declared online that no one should use our services.
What action can we take against her as this is so damaging to a small business in a small community?
Thank you in advance for any advice!





Jan 2, 2024
403
Dealing with fake Google reviews by a former employee




1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am running a clinic in Dubai. I hired a doctor a few months ago, but she failed to perform the work for which she was hired, so I fired her.
Now, she is leaving fake reviews on Google, and she is also doing this with her friends. I have contacted her, but she has left the country.
Please advise on what we can do!
Thank you!





+3
Jan 23, 2024
326
A company threatens legal action over a bad review. How should I respond?



1
Q: Dear concern,
We booked a photography company last month for my son's birthday party, and the service from the photographer was really disappointing.
We posted a Google review stating our disappointment. Later, the company contacted us through WhatsApp to remove the review to avoid legal cases.
We removed it, informing them that we would repost it after seeking legal advice. Could you please help me?




Jul 29, 2024
85
Can I take legal action to remove a negative review about my business?




1
Q: Hello,
A customer wrote a negative review about my business, saying they don't recommend my services to anyone.
What legal actions can I take to have them remove it?





+4
Feb 27, 2025
57
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code 29
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.
Dec 8, 1987
47906
Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 On Consumer Protection 8
The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.
Aug 13, 2006
9926

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3187 3187 answers •
View allHow can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
85
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? 0
Hello,
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? If not, can the employer deduct the sick leave from the employee’s end-of-service benefits?
Additionally, what is the legal basis for this? Specifically, which law or ministerial decision governs this matter?
Apr 4, 2025
139
Can I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
73
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency and it was canceled two days before Eid. What to do? 0
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency two weeks before Eid. The travel agency confirmed the booking on payment.
One day before Eid, the agency reached out, saying they had an issue with the supplier/hotel and the booking would be cancelled.
They offered alternative hotels that didn’t match the original property. I suggested some properties, and they couldn’t arrange them, or they asked for further payment, so I didn’t book anything through them.
What are my rights to a refund and compensation, as I had to book other arrangements separately at a significantly higher cost due to the last-minute prices?
It also caused significant emotional distress, less than 24 hours before the holiday. To which authority can a complaint be made in case of an unsatisfactory outcome?
Both the agency and the hotel are in Dubai.
Apr 4, 2025
67
How can I renew my Ejari if the landlord hasn’t signed the new contract? 0
Hi,
I have been here for 3 years now and paid the increased amount (as per the agreement) for the 4th year.
However, the landlord did not send me back the signed contract, although I have both made the payment for the full year via bank transfer and sent my signed contract to him.
I need to renew my Ejari; however, how can I do it without the landlord's signature?
I have all the previous contracts signed by both parties, along with the Ejari for those contracts.
Apr 14, 2025
15

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1585 1585 answers •
View allCan a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
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.
Apr 7, 2025
133
Missing business partner since 2003. What to do about his share in the LLC? 0
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?
Apr 7, 2025
127
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. What documents do I need to carry? 0
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?
Apr 14, 2025
25
My company has filed a case against a client for failure to pay and bounced cheque. How to follow up? 0
Hello.
My company has filed a case against a client for failure to pay and a bounced cheque. The client's company is registered as a virtual office in the Creative City Free Zone in Fujairah, so our case is filed there.
The client basically purchased some equipment from us, and his payment via bank transfer did not go through and was rejected. Then, when we deposited his security cheque after multiple attempts to contact and no answer, the cheque bounced.
The company is under his wife's name, and we have filed a case on the same.
The court has accepted our application, however, they have instructed the execution bureau to get the Emirates ID of this authorised signatory. The bureau is asking us to get it, and we have no way to do so, unfortunately.
Without the Emirates ID, the court cannot freeze the bank accounts or put a travel ban, etc.
What are our options here?
Apr 14, 2025
13
I received a legal notice to pay rent and cleared the amount. Can the landlord ask me to pat late fees penalty? 0
I received a legal notice to pay rent.
I have already cleared the amount specified in the legal notice, but my landlord is now saying that I also need to clear further late fees as per our contract within the legal notice time period.
Is that valid if it is not stated in the notice?
Apr 14, 2025
10

Other answers by
2 2 answers •
View allدعوى طلاق للضرر ضد زوجة على علاقة برجال 0
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله،
اكتشفت أن الزوجة على علاقة برجال. عرفت ذلك عن طريق هاتفها، وبعدها تم الاتفاق مع أهلها على الطلاق.
هل يُسمَح لي بالتقدُّم بطلاق للضرر حتى لا تطلب أي نفقة، بالإضافة إلى أخذ الحضانة منها؟
هي حاليًا في قطر.
Dec 13, 2023
214
If a tenant doesn't comply with a court judgment to vacate, what should I do? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I got a favorable judgment in a tenancy case where my tenant has been asked to move out and pay all fees and expenses. It does not specify a date.
I understand that the tenant can appeal within 15 days. Should he not appeal, within how much time should he move?
If he still does not move, then what should I do?
While fees refer to court fees, do lawyer fees and incidental expenses form a part of the expenses?
Dec 13, 2023
395

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80 80 answers •
View allI secured a mortgage from the bank and the broker kept delaying until the MOU expired. What to do? 0
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
Apr 9, 2025
99
My husband and I are Canadian Muslims and he passed away in the UAE. How to open an inheritance case? 0
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
Mar 27, 2025
62
The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee as per the contract. What to do? 0
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
Mar 25, 2025
73
Bought a tenanted property, but the tenant vanished. What legal action can I take? 0
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?
Feb 28, 2025
79
Can I file for mutual divorce from Dubai as an Indian resident and my husband works in Saudi? 0
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.
Mar 21, 2025
86

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825 825 answers •
View allHow to recover unpaid fees from a client who refuses to pay for online consulting services? 0
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?
Mar 7, 2025
82
Tenant damaged property, deposit insufficient; how to claim compensation? 0
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?
Mar 7, 2025
84
Is it legal for a landlord to cut DEWA before the rental court verdict? 0
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?
Mar 7, 2025
55
Can a civil case delay my deportation after a criminal conviction? 0
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?
Jan 27, 2025
73
Can I keep my shop by paying rent in installments despite an eviction case against me? 0
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?
Jan 9, 2025
71
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