Q: Dear Sir, I have a question regarding my rental cheques, where two cheques got bounced recently. For the first cheque, I got arrested by the police at Dubai Airport. I paid the fine at Dubai Courts, then they released me. After two days, one more cheque got bounced and I had already requested to negotiate with the management but they didn't listen. I cannot pay now because I don't have a job. Now my question is, can I travel to my home country after paying the fine for my second bounced cheque? Please advise as soon as possible. Thank you.

Q: Hi. My daughter had stayed at an apartment 807, Marina Diamond 2 in Dubai from 1st May 2017 to 31st July 2018 on the lease of Mr Alex Hejazi's US national apartment. The first contract was for one year and then extended for six months. The original contract had two months notice clause and renewed one with one month notice. He was given a month's notice as per the tenancy agreement on 25th June 2018 by mail and over the phone and vacated on 31st July 2018. Returned to India on 8th August 2018. The landlord is now not responding to mails or texts and has not returned any money. The dues are three months' rent and the security deposit total of AED 15600. Now, she is back in India and cannot travel to lodge a case in RDC. How do I get back my hard-earned money without travelling to Dubai?

Q: Hi, Recently I've found out that I have a case in Rashidiya Police Station. My landlord filed a case against my deposit cheque. I was surprised by how they managed to file a case on my security deposit if it has been encashed already, and after encashing the cheque, file a case against me using the cheque copy. I don't think this is legal. I should be the one claiming it back as the property has been vacated already and I should get back my security deposit. Please advise on this case

س: قمت بإنهاء خدماتي في الإمارات وقمت بإخلاء البيت المستأجر وفق القانون وحصلت براءة ذمة من المؤجر كوني لم أكمل العقد وعملت تسويه مالية معهم وحصلت على براءة ذمة من البلديه والكهرباء. وعند طلبي الشيكات التي بحوزتهم أخبروني أنها مع المحاسب وأنه غير موجود، وكان موعد السفر في اليوم الثاني فلم أتمكن من استرجاع الشيكات. أخبروني عبر الهاتف أن لا أقلق وأنهم سوف يتلفوها. وبعد مغادرتي بنحو شهر وعن طريق الصدفة، اكتشفت أنهم أرسلوا شيك إلى البنك لصرفه وأصبح كأنه شيك مرتجع. أرجو نصحي ما الحل، خصوصاً وجودي خارج الدولة يصعب الاتصال معهم وأخشى وجود اسمي في المطار. فهل هذا يعتبر خيانة أمانه من طرفهم بهذا التصرف؟ وشكراً

Q: I am an investor in Ajman free zone. I have a case in the legal department for a bounced cheque. How can I check the status of my case and how it will be cleared? Right now I am in Pakistan. Thanks Mohyuddin

Q: Dear sir/madam, I checked the system for criminal cases and there are the following details: - Case status: Dispositioned. - Level: First instance. - Panel: 2nd panel. - Session status: Completed. - Judgment date: 25/06/2019. - Judgment type: Fine. - Fine fees: 35k AED. - Charge: Issued cheque in bad faith. Could one please explain how this works? If I return to the UAE, will I be arrested at the airport? Will I be released If I pay the fine?

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.

The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.

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.

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.

The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).