I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Can I join another company during my probation period? And what difficulties will I face during that transfer process?

Hello, After the 7-day notice period in a cheque execution case, how long do I have to file for enforcement? Is it acceptable to wait and file after one month as I’m out of the country?

Good day, I need help, please. I was involved in an accident. I was run over by a car and I was not the guilty party. Now, I have received the judgment order from the court. How do I submit it to claim my compensation from the guilty party? Thank you!

Salam, My company has filed a complaint against me in MOHRE related to training fees. This is the clause mentioned in my contract: "The Second Party shall be obliged to pay back the value of the training (which is estimated at an amount of 10000 AED) when they terminate the employment contract based on their own free will (within One Year) from the date of commencement of their contract, without prejudice to the First Party's legal or contractual obligations. (the amount agreed on for the value of the training period must be commensurate with the employment period of the employee)" My question is: 1. I served 11 months in the company. Can they demand the full 10,000 or it should be less due to 11 months (as per the last line of the clause)? 2. I didn't even get training from the company. I learned normally by working on projects with seniors. No training session was conducted for me. Should I still have to pay? My case is in MOHRE. Thanks

Hi, Amnesty 2024 has just started, and I really want to apply for it, but I have a company bounced cheque and personal credit card debt. Is there any solution to avail of the amnesty and legalize my status? If yes, what is the step-by-step procedure? Thank you to those who can enlighten me on this question, and God bless us all!

Hello, I have a civil case for a bounced check and a travel ban. My passport has expired and can only be renewed in my home country. Due to the travel ban, it is not possible to exit and renew the passport. With an expired passport, I can't work. What are the options in this situation? Can my wife take this case and start paying in installments so that I can go to renew his passport and come back? Thank you!

I have an unpaid credit card of approximately AED 45000 in the UAE. I will be traveling to Qatar due to work. Will I be arrested in Qatar?

I have had a drug case against me recently and it has been closed. I have paid my fine and I am cleared from the travel ban. I am still working with the same employer but I am thinking about changing jobs. Will I be able to get a new employment visa and be hired in a new firm despite the record?

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.

My wife was pregnant and gave birth in the first week of her seventh month. The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month. Now the company she works for is refusing to pay her full salary and is offering to pay only half her salary. Do they have the right to do this? What are my wife's rights with the company she works for, and how can we demand them?

Hello, We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date. We would appreciate guidance on the following: 1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount? 2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)? 3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases? 4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated? Thank you in advance for your advice!

A pharmacy gave me the wrong set of medicine that was not prescribed by my doctor. Can I file a complaint?

I have undergone a surgical treatment in India and got a medical leave report from there for 15 days. Can I submit the same medical leave report in the UAE so that the annual leave won't be affected? The HR is responding that the same 15 days of medical leave will be counted from my annual leave. Kindly assist

My wife was pregnant and gave birth in the first week of her seventh month. The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month. Now the company she works for is refusing to pay her full salary and is offering to pay only half her salary. Do they have the right to do this? What are my wife's rights with the company she works for, and how can we demand them?

Hi, I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband. In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house. But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India. The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025. Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there. What can I do now? Help!

Hi I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest. My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right? Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat. Please answer me. I want to know my rights. Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know. They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.

I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits. The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients. In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service. Is this legal? What are my rights?

Hello, I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year. My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID. Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases? The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority. I look forward to your response. Thanks.

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?

Hello, I'm a Malaysian and have worked with a company registered in Dubai. I'm based in Malaysia and have been working with them since 2008. Recently, the company has been facing financial trouble and offered me a 60% pay cut, which I did not agree to. I offered them two options: to temporarily cut my salary by 20%, or to pay me retrenchment compensation based on my contract (which is based on Malaysian law). Please advise me on my next course of action if the company cuts my salary by 60% without my consent.

Hello, We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date. We would appreciate guidance on the following: 1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount? 2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)? 3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases? 4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated? Thank you in advance for your advice!

السلام عليكم هل يمكن الزواج من إماراتي عسكري متقاعد عالمعاش بدون تقديم موافقه من جهه العمل؟ وإذا تم الزواج فعلاً، هل يتاثر الزوج أو يتعاقب؟ وفي حال لم يقل الزوج مكان عمله، هل المأذون له طريقه ليعرف جهه العمل؟ هل يمكن الزواج عن بعد إذا كان الولي (الأخ) خارج الإمارات ولا يحمل هويه إماراتيه؟ وهل يجب فقط الشهود من نفس جنسيه الزوجة؟ هل هذا شرط ؟ واذا لم يتوفر، لا أستطيع تقديم طلب نهائي من شهود جنسيات أخرى مع العلم أن الزواج خارج المحكمة مع مأذون في عجمان. مع العلم أن الزوج إماراتي متقاعد والزوجه أردنية (مطلقه مع شهادة طلاق صادرة من وزارة العدل بينونة كبرى) وشهادة وفاة ولي الأمر (والدي) من الإمارات، وفحص طبي من الإمارات.

هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟

I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. However, RDC says that legal fees do not mean lawyer fees; they are RDC fees only. Is this correct?

Good afternoon, Thank you for your time. The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine. Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant? Will I be asked questions? Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response? Thank you again for your time.

Dear lawyers, The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date. Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?

I received a termination letter from my company on January 31st, 2025, with a one-month notice period, stating my last working day as February 28th, 2025. The reason given for the termination is "considering the current business scenario, the company has considered measures to reorganize the business." Could this be considered arbitrary dismissal? Am I entitled to any compensation or benefits from the company as a result of this termination?

By checking in Al Adheed, I have found there is a marital matter case against me in Dubai Courts. There is a hearing date for next week and the time mentioned in the case status with a link for an online hearing. However, I have not received any message from Dubai courts regarding this by mail or phone. I have all contact details updated with EID. In this case, what should I do? I don’t know what the case is about. Should I hire a lawyer or I can attend the hearing by myself? Please do suggest options.