Hello, I'm currently looking for legal advice regarding an online defamation case. I am a Filipino citizen currently residing in the Philippines. The person I want to file a complaint against is also a Filipino citizen and is currently based in Dubai. I have already sought legal consultation, but it cost me a lot for just a simple session. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can afford to proceed with the fees required for sending a warning or demand letter to the person I’m complaining about. I would really appreciate any help, guidance, or information about possible free or low-cost legal services. Thank you for your time!

Hi, I have issued a blank cheque for my EMI, and now the company is using my blank cheque and putting any amount to deposit it. My total unpaid balance is AED 19000, but they mentioned AED 42,030 on the cheque and another AED 10000. They told me they will deposit it to file a case. What is my remedy on this matter? Thank you.

I have a bank loan in Dubai of AED 20000 and two credit cards from different banks (5000+5000), and the total is AED 30000. The liability is in Dubai. I left Dubai 10 years ago. Now I have a job offer from Kuwait. Can I go there?

Hello, Kindly let me know the statutory provisions relating to the penalty for letting employees work without a visa and the amount of penalty to be paid by the employer.

Hello, My partner voluntarily withdrew from our company which we established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. We established this company on July 1, 2024. Until now, there is no income or revenue. What is the legality?

Hello, Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?

Hello, I am currently working with my company and have one month remaining to complete my first contract. However, my new visa is set to be processed in a month. Can I resign during this process? What will happen if I resign at the end of my first contract before receiving the new visa while it is still in process?

My husband has a girlfriend/fiancée. He is Muslim now, but when we got married, we were both Christians. So I know that he will not have another wife because it's not allowed in our country and religion. Do I have the right to tell him that it's illegal? Also, we have loans here and in our country, and he wants to get a loan just to marry his girlfriend and find a flat for her. While my daughter and I only live in a room with shared tenants. What are my rights? Thank you so much!

A bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts due to nonpayment of a personal loan and credit card. Is a travel ban automatically applied? I looked on the Dubai Courts website, and it says the judge has issued a “reserved” order for my case. Furthermore, when the bank emails, they threaten me with a travel ban. So I am assuming there is no travel ban issued (but I don’t know). I haven’t received any notice of a travel ban. If there is a travel ban, how do I find out? I have checked the Dubai police app, and there are no financial crimes against me. Please advise if you know.

Hello, I purchased a freehold flat in Dubai and paid an initial 10% while signing the reservation agreement. However, due to financial issues, I am unable to proceed with the next payments. My question is: Can the developer refund my funds? The 10% payment was made to the developer’s escrow account, but I haven’t signed the SPA yet. I requested a refund from both the developer and the property agent, but they declined, stating that the money could not be refunded. Is there any way to recover my funds?

Dear sir/madam, I had signed a labor contract with the Ministry of Labour which had no "non-compete" clause. Now, I want to leave the company, but my employer wants me to sign the "non-compete" clause in the termination contract. In this case, is the non-compete clause applicable or not?

Dear Questioner, In the UAE, is there a maximum amount an employer can deduct from an employee's severance pay due to damage/negligence?

Hi, I wanted to purchase a 2-bedroom apartment in JVC Dubai. I gave a 10% security deposit cheque to the seller. The price mentioned in the MoU is very high compared to other similar apartments in the same building. The bank’s valuation also came in very low. Since the valuation is much lower, how can I terminate the MoU and get my cheque back? The MoU ends on 1st October 2024. One of the articles in the MoU states: In the event that the Buyer fails to make the payments as agreed or fails to complete the transfer on the agreed date due to his own acts or omissions, the Seller has the right to terminate this agreement and retain the deposit, provided that the termination is due to a violation of the agreed terms, unless both parties agree amicably to different dates. I need help urgently.

صباح الخير، ما الطُرق المتاحة للإنذار بأمر الأداء قبل إقامة الدعوى في حال كون المدَّعِي (فرد) والمدَّعَى عليه (شركة) في الإمارات؟ شكرًا!

السلام عليكم، اتفقت الشركة مع مكتب محاماة على عقد سنوي بمبلغ مقطوع بالإضافة إلى نسبة من المبلغ الذي يتم تحصيله من القضايا. هل يستحق المحامي نسبة من الفائدة القانونية المقضي بها حكمًا؟

Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

Hello, A tenant damaged the property I recently purchased upon their eviction, and the security deposit does not cover all of the damages. I would like to know how I can take action against the tenant. Does any proof need to be submitted? If yes, what proofs are required since I bought an already tenanted property? What is the timeframe and process to seek compensation for the damages?

Hello, I was supposed to renew my rental contract in early February, but due to harassment and threats, we agreed in rental court that we would settle and move out. Now, while awaiting the verdict, the landlord has gone ahead and canceled DEWA. What can I do? Isn’t that illegal?

Hello, If I have a deportation due to a criminal case, and while serving time inside, a civil case is opened against me, does that stop my deportation?

Hi, I have leased out a shop in Dubai, but due to huge financial losses and my husband's job loss, I can't afford to pay the rent. Meanwhile, my landlord has filed a case for eviction and payment of rent. Right now, my condition is getting better as my husband has got a job and is ready to pay the rent in installments. Can I pay in installments and hold the shop even if the judgment goes against me?

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!

Dear Sir/Madam, My partner and I are non-Muslim expatriates who want to apply for a civil marriage in Dubai. I'm looking for a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement to submit along with the marriage application in Dubai. Should the agreement be attested and legalized before it can be filed with the marriage application?

Hello, I bought a property from a developer in Q4 2023 and got the keys handed over in November 2023. They have returned to me to pay additional service charges for the entire year although I purchased the flat from the previous owner in the last quarter of the year. I sent them multiple emails to explain the reason behind it and to ask them to send any legal statement showing that the new owners are responsible for paying additional fees, though this is unfair from my perspective as I have been the owner of the property starting from Nov 2023. Some friends told me that they received a letter from their lawyers which they sent to the developer questioning this procedure and refusing to pay this. Since I don't have such a statement to send to them as well, is there any opportunity for somebody to help me in writing one, hopefully getting the chance not to pay the additional fees? Thanks!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، يوجد مستأجر سُجن بسبب قضية وحاليًا تسكن الشقة زوجته وابنه وهي تدفع الأجرة بدون أي تأخير. انتهى العقد. هل يمكن تجديد عقد الإيجار تحت اسم الزوج وزوجته توقع مكانه؟ أم يجب ترك العقد بدون توقيع؟ أم يجب إبرام عقد إيجاري جديد باسم الزوجة وفي هذه الحالة يمكن تغيير الشروط والأحكام والقيمة الإيجارية؟ أرجو منكم الإجابة!

Dear Sir/Madam, If someone has a case of consensual sex in Dubai (2018), can he return to Dubai? Is he still punishable?