Good morning, My landlord notified me 90 days before my contract’s end of a 15% rent increase, raising it from AED 55,000 to AED 63,250. However, according to the RERA index, the maximum increase should be 5%. I tried to negotiate, but they refused. On October 15, I made an offer and deposit of AED 57,250 (including the RERA-approved increase). The judge accepted it, but the landlord rejected it, claiming their other 1-bedroom units rent for AED 75,000. My contract expired on October 31, 2024. Recently, the landlord emailed saying I’m now staying illegally and will be charged AED 100 per day for not signing a new contract. Last week, I requested a new contract based on the RERA index, but they responded by refusing my offer and deposit, demanding full payment. My question: Should I be concerned, or should I let them pursue a case? Or just wait and see? Thank you for your assistance.

Hi everyone, I’m facing an issue with my rental situation and would appreciate any advice. I purchased a company in July that’s renting a shop space, and the tenancy contract (under the company’s name) is ending on November 22. The landlord is insisting on a 40% rent increase, even though the RERA Index clearly indicates a 0% increase for this area. I’ve informed the landlord that this increase isn’t in line with RERA regulations, requested a new contract, and asked him to come by to collect the cheques—but he’s been unresponsive. To protect our position, I filed an offer and deposit with the rental dispute center, but it was automatically closed because the landlord didn’t respond. My question is: what should I do next? Filing a case for renewal will cost 5% of the rent, which is a significant amount right now. Are there any alternatives to proceed without incurring that cost, or any other steps to ensure the landlord adheres to the regulated rental terms?

Dear Lawyers, Is it mandatory for a memorandum of defense to be signed by an applicant representing themselves without an attorney in a civil dispute in Dubai? If not, what are the potential consequences of submitting a memorandum of defense without a signature? Thank you!

Hello Experts! Kindly assist with the below: In a penal case that is still at the investigation stage, if your statement was taken and they realized you are truly innocent, with your name included only by association, is there a chance that your name can be dropped before being referred to court? Or does the fact that they took your statement mean you must appear in court?

Dear Lawyers, How can a wife file for khula when she is financially dependent on her husband and has no funds to support it?

Hello, My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal. Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter? If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?

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.

Hello, How can I file a counter-complaint against a person who made a false report about me for public cursing, which I never did? He made the complaint about three months after we last met. I now have a case because of it, but I never said any bad words to him. I was stopped at the airport because of that.

I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything? What documents do I need to carry?

I would like to know how to clear my police record due to a legal case that was closed 1 year ago. I need to clear it in order to be able to get a job position.

Hi, For the private sector, if an employee got terminated due to warning letters for poor performance issued to him, is he eligible for a 1-month compensation salary?

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!

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?

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.

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.

The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.

I would like to know how to clear my police record due to a legal case that was closed 1 year ago. I need to clear it in order to be able to get a job position.

Hello, My friend has just come back from traveling to find his storage space burnt down in Dubai. He is a photographer and musician with high-value items. Everything has been burnt down. What does he do now?

هل تسقط إجراءات التنفيذ ويُرفَع المنع من السفر وتُغلق الدعوى نهائيًا بعد دفع مبلغ التنفيذ بالكامل؟

Hi, I have a civil case in Dubai. Will this result in my visa being rejected? Will my visa processing be affected?

Hello, What countersuit can I file against an employer who filed a false absconding case against an employee?

Hello, My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal. Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter? If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?

Hello, Good afternoon! Can somebody tell me what happens if someone went on vacation and didn’t come back in one month? What penalties will they face if they want to come back after 1 year or after some months and not to the same company?

The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.

My company changed the boss, but the company name is still the same. Is there any way I can't get all my benefits for 6 years?

Hello, Is it legal to reduce the salary after signing an employment contract?

I raised a cheque execution case against a company and its owner and won. There is a travel ban on him. I was receiving installments for three months and now he stopped paying. The court after request summoned him. In total, he paid only 30% of the owed money. I found that his company license is expired and also in the month his visa will expire. Does he have any option to avoid payment? Please note he was deceived by showing no money in his bank account and no assets in his name but he is running multiple businesses. Also a month ago, he tried to convince me to lift the travel ban but I refused to do so. But he submitted a guarantee and left UAE. Now the status shows he is back in the UAE and the travel ban imposed again. But after that, he stopped payment. Is there a 1% chance of him not paying me the remaining money? Is there a way he can leave the country through the Amnesty program or any of this sort?

Hello, In EMARATAX (The Federal Tax Authority), if someone has two licenses in different emirates for the same activity, does he need to register two taxable persons, or how should he proceed?

Hello, I purchased a one-bedroom off-plan unit in Dubai from a well-known developer under an SPA specifying an area of 801 sq. ft. I completed all payments as per the developer’s payment plan, and the unit was handed over to me without a Title Deed. After taking possession, furnishing the unit, signing a tenancy contract, and making repeated follow-ups to obtain my Title Deed, the developer informed me, 45 days after handover, that the actual area was 1,041.41 sq. ft., a 30% increase from the original SPA terms. To receive my Title Deed, they are now demanding payment for the increased size. Key issues: - Failure to notify me before handover about the 30% increase in area. - The SPA allows for price adjustments for area variations but specifies that such adjustments must be reflected in the final installment, which I had already fully paid before handover. - The developer has now filed a legal case through Dubai Courts, demanding payment. I require legal advice based on RERA/DLD laws and the SPA.

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?

Hi, For the private sector, if an employee got terminated due to warning letters for poor performance issued to him, is he eligible for a 1-month compensation salary?

The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.

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.

Hello, I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share. After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired. What to do with his 25% share, please?

I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything? What documents do I need to carry?