Q: I am in the sales department of a bank in the UAE, I have used abusive words towards a customer. Can the bank file a legal or criminal case against me if I was found guilty? This incident has occurred since 20 days. What happens if the customer complained to the police? Is there any particular time period for registering a complaint? How long it takes for the police to take any action? Please help!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I want to file a defamation case against a company. How much compensation can I expect? I have been unemployed since September 2021 due to a criminal case and a labor case, and I have paid $18,000 in legal fees.

Q: Hello lawyer! I need an expert advice from you. I was married 3 years back and my husband and inlaws cheated me on his medical condition (i.e. he had both kidneys removed and transplanted his mother kidney). A year after my marriage, I was pressured and tortured for not having a baby. I was very worried, and hence, got all my tests done and alhamdulillah everything was normal. The doctor also checked my husband and as a result, his reports were negative and the reason for that was associated with his transplant and medicines. He and his family behaviour is getting worse day by day, and hence, I am planning to get a divorce from him and wanted to know my legal rights and process to go further. I am living with my parents since 9 months and my husband hasn't supported me in any way. Now, he has started defaming me on social media also. I would be very thankful if you can help me in this regard.

Q: I have a misdemeanor case hearing in misdemeanor circuit court, I'm the complainant (insult over messages) and the accused (insult in public). No witness exists, I may have confessed in a message. I have given my statement to the police and public prosecution. 1. How many hearings and timelines would it take for this case to finish? 2. Will the 2 parties be in the same room at the same time during the hearing? 3. Can I hire a lawyer and let him deal with this rather than attending hearings? If so, does it impact my case or judgment in any case? 4. What could be the possible outcomes of this case?

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 law promulgates UAE Criminal Procedural Law (Penal Procedures Law) which governs criminal procedures in the UAE. This law applies to the procedures relating to offences whose punishments are not specified, dogma and punitive offences, and blood money, if they do not violate the Sharia rules.

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).