Q: Dear sir/madam, I have a travel ban and police cases for 5 old debt loans and card cases in Dubai (2010). Is it required to pay a fine for each case and close it? Or can it be closed automatically as per the new laws released in 2020 where debt is decriminalized? Does the fine system still exist? Or is that abolished also? Can we close the cases by requesting the court? Or do we still pay fines at the respective police stations? I want to know the options at a high level before taking them forward.

Q: Good day. My friend and his business partner agreed to put up a business. Then they agreed to have a share to pay. My friend share is to rent the place and give some amount of money. My friend issued bank checks in place of cash. When they get the business permit my friend's business partner did not include my friend's name in the business. So, what my friend did, he asked the bank to stop payment for the business. My question: is my friend liable for the bouncing check because he stopped the bank for the payment?

Q: I hold a bounced cheque with the amount of AED 400,000 against the defaulter, that bounced in December 2017. A police case filed the police station. The defaulter has my account number and made a cash payment of AED 202,000 into my account, thereby having a proof of the money deposited in my account. The total amount currently owing is AED 198,000. The question is: Since the amount currently owing is AED 198,000, can I still proceed with a civil case against him? I have not given any clearance, nor have I accepted any further cheques from him yet. The defaulter promises to pay the remainder of AED 198,000 by July 2018. I think defaulter is trying to play a tactic so that he doesn't pay up the full amount. Can anyone shed any light on this area? Is there any way I can get a court order or a legal document signed by him and myself, along with a lawyer or witness, stating that he will have to pay AED 198,000 as promised by him? In case he decides not to pay, can I use that document in the court? Thanks

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have an execution lawsuit at the honorable Dubai Courts. The debtor has not paid 127,600 AED in the last 15 months. The debtor has neither a car nor money in his bank. He issued a power of attorney to his wife so that she could receive all money on his behalf. I want to make a petition to find the debtor and put him in jail, to force him to pay. What are the evidence that I need to submit with the petition so that the honorable judge agrees to issue a warrant? What points do the judges check before issuing a warrant to catch the debtor? Do judges easily issue arrest orders these days? Thank you for all your help!

The management of individual financial affairs is crucial and all the actions must be weighed down while committing to any financial liability. Whether it's job loss that may have lead to financial failure or the opposite, one must be aware of the personal liability which will not diminish by paying fines for cheque bounce cases. There are two major types of liabilities, criminal liability and civil liability. Each has its own significance, hence, must be dealt with accordingly.

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.