Q: I opened a bar business in RAK with a Lebanese partner. I financed it with AED 280,000 and he does the operation. Unfortunately, I withdrew my partnership as I cannot provide more money as he asked. We agreed on making an agreement that I will cancel my partnership and he will pay me the said amount every month by AED 5,000. The problem is that he didn't pay until now and its been 2 years. Every time I ask him he is saying no money yet, till he told me that we need to re-calculate the AED 280,000. He didn't meet me to re-calculate. Then, he moved the bar from the rooftop to the 4th floor and it's much bigger. So, he is saying that the bar is a different one already and we are not talking about the same bar anymore. I have an agreement signed, that if he gets a partner, he will pay me as well as if he sells the bar. Do I have any chances of getting the money back?

Q: It is a business partnership agreement. Before we start, we agreed that I will go to finance everything even the renewal of his car. The only contribution he can do is marketing and client talks. His car has been renewed with all my money. Since we don't have the license at that time, I agreed to name the insurance with his wife's name. Then, as we got the license and operated, but the sale was not enough, I tried my very best to sustain all the financial needs until I got drained already. They were staying in my flat as what he offered for the value of the car was 50/50 share. He estimated the value and sold his car to me at 8K. They stayed in my flat for four months without paying anything. So what I did, I charged their bills in the 8K equal value of the car until my balance completely clear out because of the charges. Now, this guy suddenly withdrew his business partnership with me. And even took the car without giving me at least 50% of the value of it. What should I do?

Q: We are 2 partners in a technical services LLC company, it's 6 months old. I paid some money to my partner to clear the instalment amount with setup consultancy which he didn't pay yet. Also, he's not investing his share further comparatively my investment is more for setup. He is still using the business license keeping me away (hiding), his phone is not reachable all the time, only contacting me on Whatsapp and telling lies. Due to his untrustworthy, I would like to claim my investment and damages from my partner and need to withdraw my partnership. Give me a solution.

Q: Hello. I invested almost 60,000 dhs in a company to be a business partner in the future and get power of attorney. But my business partner lied to me, he took all the money and now our business is almost closed. I asked him to pay me all the money I gave to him (with papers he signed in) and he is not paying me. It has been like this for almost 2 years now! Do I have any chance of getting my invested money back? Thanks

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently facing a complex situation involving a business partnership gone sour. Two years ago, a friend and I embarked on a bed space business venture without obtaining a trade license. While I covered the full investment, my friend took responsibility for managing the flat. We agreed to split the profits 50-50. However, over the past 8 months, he has been withholding profits and not contributing to utility payments, leaving me to bear the losses. Despite my repeated requests for reimbursement, he consistently delays payment. Recently, he renewed the flat in his name and is claiming ownership. Furthermore, he has replaced me with another partner and refuses to compensate me for my share of the goodwill amount, which amounts to approximately AED 30,000. Additionally, he is spreading false accusations about me to mutual friends, tarnishing my reputation. My question is, do I have any legal rights to claim from him? If so, what would be the appropriate legal procedure to pursue in this case?

Q: Hi I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account. Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money. But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage. Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident. How can I follow the civil case there? That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.

Q: I seek your assistance with an ongoing legal issue. I paid 18,000 AED to A. M. S. M. H. and M. I. for business registration, but they failed to complete the process, causing additional losses (14,011 AED govt fees + 1,100 AED visa charges). I filed a complaint with Public Prosecution (Petition No: [---]), but the accused refused to cooperate. I lack the legal knowledge and resources to pursue this case and cannot afford a private lawyer. Kindly provide legal advice, assist in recovering my losses (18,000 AED + 1,100 AED + compensation), and guide me through the legal process. Documents: Payment receipts, quotations, call recordings, witness statements, visa renewal receipts, and petition copy. Thank you for your support. Yours faithfully, M. N. S. M. F.

An interview-format article covering the topic of shareholder disputes in the UAE and pre-emptive measure to be considered. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.

The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.