Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allFiling a civil case for the recovery of an old debt
2
Q: Hi.
A local company owes me AED 900,000. The cheques bounced and the owner/signatory ran away to the UK.
The company is still running but I'm not sure if they have any valuable assets. The criminal court ruled 1 year and 3 months imprisonment for the owner who is still in the UK.
The judgment was issued in 2013. Can I open a civil case now after 5 years? Does the judgment issued by the criminal court ever expire?
Thanks,
Moe

Sep 7, 2018
567
What can I do if the company I invested money with denies my rights?

1
Q: I invested money in a trading company and the CEO has refused to pay me back with interest for 3 months now and my investment contracts end today.
Please, what can I do?
I can go to the police station to file a complaint. I need your legal advice, please.


Jun 23, 2021
366
How to claim money invested with a company without any profits yet?

1
Q: We have invested more than AED 100k in an investment company where they have promised high interest after a few months.
Unfortunately, it’s been more than 6 months that we haven’t gotten any interest on the money we have invested.
The company is saying that they need more time due to financial challenges. A lot of investors in the same company are affected.
I appreciate your support and legal advice. We just want to have our hard-earned money to be returned.


Mar 24, 2022
238
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allBounced Cheques in the UAE: What You Need to Know in 2024 291
In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.
Oct 15, 2024
222589
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148515
Federal Law No. (11) of 1992 Concerning Issuance of the Civil Procedures Code 42
The law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.
Feb 24, 1992
75380
Federal Decree Law No. (14) of 2020 Amending Certain Provisions of the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Concerning the Commercial Transactions Law 4
The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.
Sep 27, 2020
3549

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My tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
40
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
50
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
40
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟ 0
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟
Apr 25, 2025
18
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.
Apr 16, 2025
38

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Can a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
103
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
110
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 1
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
130
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
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.
Dec 24, 2024
68
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 1
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
91

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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
29
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
14
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
8
After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
22
Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
19

Other answers by
What can I do if my tenant moved out without notice after serving him rent increase notice? 2
I own a property in Dubai and we issued a 90-day notice to the tenant to advise of the rent increase.
The tenant accepted and confirmed they would be renewing the tenancy agreement.
Before they signed the new tenancy agreement they moved out without giving any notice.
What are my rights in this scenario?
Aug 28, 2024
105
Will my fees be refunded if I close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone? 1
Dear Lawyers,
If I want to close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone, will my fees be refunded to me?
Aug 12, 2024
159
As a partner who loaned money to the company, should I sue the company or my partner? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I am a 50% partner in a company. I had given a 2M AED loan to the company about 10 years ago. There are expert reports and bank records to prove the loan.
The company does not have any bank balances or assets. Should I start a lawsuit against the company and demand 2M AED, or should I start a lawsuit against the other 50% partner and demand 1M AED?
One benefit of suing the company is that I can obtain an acknowledgment of debt, and later in an execution case, I can issue a certificate of solvency to have the other partner arrested.
However, suing the other 50% partner directly would include their name in the executive writ. Please guide me!
(I believe all necessary legal information is provided here. If something is missing, I can provide additional details here.)
Aug 14, 2024
130
How can I withdraw my case to release someone arrested for harassment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to withdraw a case against someone who harassed me. She has now been arrested and held at the police station for 4 days.
How can I withdraw the case so she can be released?
Jun 29, 2024
341
What happens next after a DUI arrest and vehicle impound? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I was caught drinking and driving (no accident). They held me in prison for one day, then I signed some papers and they released me.
They also gave me a vehicle impound paper and asked me to come on Monday with my car registration and license.
Do you have any information on what will happen next?
Jul 23, 2024
169

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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
29
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
14
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
8
After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
22
Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
19

Premium
Other answers by
Is there hope for bail in a 25-year sentence for a minor drug charge? 1
Dear Lawyers,
My brother was sentenced to 25 years in jail for a minor drug case (1 gram) on October 24, 2024. Can he get bail?
What will happen next, and what can I do to help him get released?
Kindly advise!
Nov 12, 2024
190
If you had a case for defaulting on a loan and resolved it, how to clear it from the database? 0
Hello,
I have a question.
My husband had a loan 15 years ago, he had difficulty paying this loan, and the bank opened a case, which was solved, and he paid the full loan.
He is still in Dubai and has a good work position.
How is it possible to remove the solved bank case from the database to have the possibility of getting the credit card and loan?
Thank you.
Sep 16, 2024
109
How can I inform authorities I signed a police statement I didn't understand? 1
Good Day,
As someone unfamiliar with local laws and a non-Arabic speaker, the police took my statement but did not provide a translation and told me to sign. I have no idea what they wrote or presented in the case.
The case is now with the Public Prosecution. What should I do to ensure the authorities are aware of this?
Sep 5, 2024
116
Can I bail my husband out if I'm a visitor and provide my passport? 1
Dear Lawyers,
My husband is under investigation, and I want to get him bailed out from detention.
However, I am a visitor. Can I get him bail by providing my passport?
Aug 29, 2024
128
How can I file for divorce in the UAE as an Indian Christian with a son, and ensure custody? 1
Hi, good morning,
I’m an Indian residing in the UAE and want to apply for a divorce. My husband and I have been living separately for more than 3 years, and he has been living in India since our separation.
We are both Indians and Christians (non-Muslims). We have a son who is 8 years old now. Can you please let me know the divorce procedure if we want to proceed in the UAE, both with and without mutual consent?
Additionally, please advise on how to proceed with custody, as my son currently resides with me.
Thank you!
Aug 28, 2024
171

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Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
63
Charged in a fight case marked as a "temporary matter." What does it mean? 0
Hello,
I have a criminal case for fighting, and it is now in prosecution. The decision shows “a temporary matter” as both parties are accused. What does it mean?
I have not received a call from the prosecution yet.
Apr 17, 2025
44
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time? 0
Hello,
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Apr 10, 2025
84
Do I need to inform my current employer 2 months in advance if I plan to leave? 0
Hello,
I am planning to change to another company and I am waiting for the offer. The visa from the current company is going to end in 2 months.
Should I inform them about my leaving? I haven’t received any offer yet, so I didn’t inform them, and they’re asking about the renewal every day.
Is it mandatory to inform them 2 months in advance?
Apr 24, 2025
33
How can I pay the rent after selling the property if neither the old nor the new owner is clarifying this? 0
My current landlord has sold the building I live in, and my rent cheque was due to be presented on April 1st. I contacted the new landlord and the current landlord about my rent cheque.
My current landlord advised that they had withdrawn the cheque and presented it to the new landlord. However, the new landlord has ignored three requests for clarity on how to pay my rent, which is now overdue.
What are my options here?
I am attempting to pay the rent, but they are unresponsive.
Apr 3, 2025
80
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