Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allHow to know if you have a case or travel ban for an old bank debt and when does it drop?
2
Q: Hi Alona,
I had some loans from banks in 2015 which amounted to 400k from 3 banks. Now with the 2022 rule, I checked and there is no criminal case or travel ban against me which is a relief.
I plan to re-enter Dubai but I fear that the banks put again another case against me for these old debts based on the new commercial/civil law. Is the debt finished?
I don't want to get stuck in Dubai for old loans. Kindly advise on my possible course of action going forward.

Oct 6, 2022
1158
A civil case for a bank loan was filed fifteen years ago. When does it expire?
1
Q: Hi,
My husband had a car loan in let's say 2008. He lost his job and couldn't pay it which lead to a criminal case. He paid bail and got out of the country.
Of course, the civil case followed. The case is still active.
What would happen if he would return to UAE?
What will be the procedure at the airport?
Is there an option for him not to be jailed?
The intention is to pay it back and get a job in the UAE.
Can the fees be reduced?
What about the 15 years that the civil case should expire after that?

Mar 3, 2023
374
What is the limitation period that a bank has to claim bank loan default by a company?
1
Q: What is the limitation period that a bank has to claim bank loan default by a company?
A company loaned money from the bank and defaulted in the payment of return.
How long does a bank have to claim the amount in the UAE?
In the civil code, it's 15 years and in the commercial code, it's 10 years.
What would apply on behalf of the bank?
Kindly revert.
Thank you

Nov 9, 2022
732
I had a case for an unpaid bank loan against me 20 years ago. Is it time barred now?



0
Q: I've been detained and released after 4 days in Abu Dhabi police station for a bank loan which I haven't paid for almost 20 years.
I don't have any work and I have some health issues as well. They said I have a clearance already.
Does it mean that the case that the bank has filed against me is cleared?




Nov 4, 2024
169
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allBounced Cheques in the UAE: What You Need to Know in 2024 291
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.
Oct 15, 2024
221976
Failing to Honour Bounced Cheques in Loans and Other Transactions 8
An interview-format article covering the topic of loans and bounced cheques in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Jan 15, 2020
7039
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (18) of 1993 Issuing the Commercial Transactions Law 19
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.
Sep 7, 1993
33008
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
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.
Dec 15, 1985
148370
Federal Decree Law No. (14) of 2020 Amending Certain Provisions of the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 Concerning the Commercial Transactions Law 4
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.
Sep 27, 2020
3530

Premium
Other answers by
702 702 answers •
View allCan I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
73
If a bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts. Is a travel ban automatically applied? 0
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.
Apr 4, 2025
145
Can a person with a UAE criminal case travel to another GCC country on a work visa? 0
Hello,
If a person has a criminal case in the UAE, can he or she travel to any other GCC country on a work visa?
Apr 7, 2025
171
Can a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
Hello,
I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country.
Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved?
Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.
Apr 7, 2025
133
My husband and I are Canadian Muslims and he passed away in the UAE. How to open an inheritance case? 0
Hi there,
My husband and I are Muslims. My husband passed away recently.
We have a Canadian will, but I understand that it won’t be honored as I am named the sole beneficiary, and that does not align with Sharia laws in the UAE. He was not a UAE resident but had a small apartment with no Will in the UAE.
We have 3 children. I am planning to go to Dubai to start an inheritance case. I don’t know the exact order of events and what needs to be done first.
1) Do I initiate anything from overseas before making travel plans to Dubai, or do I start once I arrive in Dubai?
Mind you, we cannot afford to stay in Dubai for too long, as the kids have school.
2) Do I need a lawyer, or can this be done by myself?
3) I understand all foreign documents need to be authenticated before presenting them to the court. But I don’t know at what stage I would need these documents authenticated.
I would appreciate it if you could provide a breakdown of the steps, the forms that are needed, and where I can find them.
Thank you
Mar 27, 2025
62

Premium
Other answers by
3187 3187 answers •
View allHow can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
85
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? 0
Hello,
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? If not, can the employer deduct the sick leave from the employee’s end-of-service benefits?
Additionally, what is the legal basis for this? Specifically, which law or ministerial decision governs this matter?
Apr 4, 2025
139
Can I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
73
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency and it was canceled two days before Eid. What to do? 0
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency two weeks before Eid. The travel agency confirmed the booking on payment.
One day before Eid, the agency reached out, saying they had an issue with the supplier/hotel and the booking would be cancelled.
They offered alternative hotels that didn’t match the original property. I suggested some properties, and they couldn’t arrange them, or they asked for further payment, so I didn’t book anything through them.
What are my rights to a refund and compensation, as I had to book other arrangements separately at a significantly higher cost due to the last-minute prices?
It also caused significant emotional distress, less than 24 hours before the holiday. To which authority can a complaint be made in case of an unsatisfactory outcome?
Both the agency and the hotel are in Dubai.
Apr 4, 2025
67
How can I renew my Ejari if the landlord hasn’t signed the new contract? 0
Hi,
I have been here for 3 years now and paid the increased amount (as per the agreement) for the 4th year.
However, the landlord did not send me back the signed contract, although I have both made the payment for the full year via bank transfer and sent my signed contract to him.
I need to renew my Ejari; however, how can I do it without the landlord's signature?
I have all the previous contracts signed by both parties, along with the Ejari for those contracts.
Apr 14, 2025
12

Premium
Other answers by
669 669 answers •
View allHow can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
85
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? 0
Hello,
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? If not, can the employer deduct the sick leave from the employee’s end-of-service benefits?
Additionally, what is the legal basis for this? Specifically, which law or ministerial decision governs this matter?
Apr 4, 2025
139
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency and it was canceled two days before Eid. What to do? 0
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency two weeks before Eid. The travel agency confirmed the booking on payment.
One day before Eid, the agency reached out, saying they had an issue with the supplier/hotel and the booking would be cancelled.
They offered alternative hotels that didn’t match the original property. I suggested some properties, and they couldn’t arrange them, or they asked for further payment, so I didn’t book anything through them.
What are my rights to a refund and compensation, as I had to book other arrangements separately at a significantly higher cost due to the last-minute prices?
It also caused significant emotional distress, less than 24 hours before the holiday. To which authority can a complaint be made in case of an unsatisfactory outcome?
Both the agency and the hotel are in Dubai.
Apr 4, 2025
67
Can I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
73
If a bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts. Is a travel ban automatically applied? 0
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.
Apr 4, 2025
145
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