Q: Good morning, I work for the MOE. I changed the emirate and they paid out my End of Service Benefit. My salary is still the same and I am still employed by the MOE. My bank put a freeze on my EOSB and subsequently used it to pay down my loan and credit card. Their reason was that my debt ratio was too high. I did not give them permission to do that but they did it anyway. I have never been late in paying them and I have been a customer since 2016. My question is, can the bank legally do that? Do I have to file a case against them? Also, how to stop the bank from taking my entire salary to pay down their debt if they can take my EOSB even though I am still working with the same company; with the same salary being deposited into the bank? Please advise!

Q: Hello, It's been more than one year since all three bank accounts in Dubai were frozen suddenly without any notice. When I started to inquire regarding it I got the answer that my bank accounts are frozen by the Central Bank of the UAE. Although accounts are debit-frozen only. I had some heavy transactions in one of my accounts and there is a huge amount stuck in my bank accounts. I am willing to hire a lawyer or consultant who can assist me in releasing the funds from my accounts. I am currently out of the country but I still hold UAE residency. Please let me know if anyone can help me with this.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, When does a creditor freeze my bank account? Before or after a judgment?

Q: Hello experts, I have a hold on my bank account even though I have shared all the requested documents with the bank proving that the money belongs to me. However, they keep insisting that the remitting bank requested a recall. Today, I received a notice of account closure from my bank. When I inquired about the amount on hold, I was informed that only the available balance will be issued via a manager's check. The issue has been ongoing for almost 5 months now. Any advice on how to get my money back, please?

Q: Dear Lawyers, It’s been two weeks since a bank restricted my account (Debit only) without any notification or warning. My account status shows as active though. I have made countless calls, visited the branch 3 times, and raised a complaint (which was closed by the bank without resolving the issue) too but no response at all. They give the same reply every time whether you call the helpline or visit the branch. No one knows the reason why it’s restricted and every time it is the same reply: “Please wait, we have sent the reminder to the concerned department” from the last two weeks. I have no cases, no liabilities to pay, and have evidence of all the transactions carried out on my account. I just want to know what steps I can take to at least understand the reason behind the restrictions. It seems like the people working at that bank don’t even care. It’s really depressing how they have been treating their customer for the last two weeks.

Q: Hello, I received an SMS and email from A bank stating that my bank account is on hold as per a Dubai Court order. I only have AED 2,000 left in my account, which is for my treatment and medication because I have breast cancer. I lost my job last year and was unable to pay my personal loan installment with B bank. It was B bank that filed a case and a travel ban with Dubai Court. But how can Dubai Court put a hold on my A bank account, even though the case is with another bank (B bank)?

Q: Good day, What is the exact process for unblocking or unfreezing a bank account and assets frozen by the courts due to a bounced cheque? Is a new signed agreement required between the plaintiff and the accused (the debtor)?

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 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.