Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
5 available 5 • View allLegal threats in Dubai after a critical Google review. What to do?




2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I lived in a building where the real estate management person was rude and unhelpful. I faced issues like cockroach infestation, AC problems, seepage, and more, which I have evidence of through pictures and videos.
I posted a Google review mentioning his name, stating he is the worst person I've encountered in 10 years. He has filed a complaint with the Dubai police.
I have since removed the Google review and apologized in front of the police. However, he insists on harassing me and threatening legal action.
How should I handle this situation?





Dec 14, 2023
1168
How to address a damaging Google review and online defamation?




3
Q: Hi,
We own a small pet shop business in Dubai, and a customer posted an extremely damaging Google review, advising people not to use our services.
She was initially very pleased after her dog was groomed, paid for the service, and even thanked the groomer for the excellent job—all of which we have on CCTV.
However, a few days later, she posted a terrible review, shouted at our staff, left a threatening voicemail, and declared online that no one should use our services.
What action can we take against her as this is so damaging to a small business in a small community?
Thank you in advance for any advice!





Jan 2, 2024
445
What are the implications of a defamation lawsuit if I am not a resident?

3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Can a clinic and a doctor sue me for defamation if I mention the doctor's name in a negative review of the clinic on Google Maps?
Also if they were to proceed with legal action, as they are threatening to do so if I don’t take the review down, how would that affect me as I am not a resident in Dubai and only visit once every 6 months?


Jun 21, 2023
164
Can a company sue me for an honest Google review about their services?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
A cleaning company is threatening to sue me if I don’t take down my Google review. All I did was share my experience without using any curse words, insults, or specific names.
In my review, I wrote, "I saw the cleaner use the mop to clean the toilet; I’m not sure if it was the same one used on the floor. I was surprised and disgusted—that’s why I stopped using their services."
The company claims it’s baseless, clearly defamatory, and intended to harm their excellent corporate reputation. They’re now intimidating me to take it down.





+1
Nov 8, 2024
117
Can I be sued for posting an honest 1-star review about an upsetting experience?




0
Q: Hello,
I recently made a Google review (and gave 1 star) regarding a grooming gone wrong to my fur baby's long, beautiful coat. Everything was done badly and so wrong; it was so upsetting and disappointing.
The owner reached out and gave some free vitamins to my baby boy and even offered to share my résumé with his contacts because I am currently searching for a job.
After an hour, the owner called asking me to delete my review. I messaged him not to pressure me or force me into doing something I don’t want to do, and told him I didn’t expect he wanted me to delete the review in exchange for the vitamins he gave for my fur baby.
I updated my review and mentioned that I appreciated the gesture. But he called again, threatening that his business partner might file a case against me.
Can they really do that to me, even if I didn’t directly ask for the vitamins and I didn’t say any bad word against their company?
I just made an honest review based on an upsetting and frustrating grooming service.





May 21, 2025
7
Laws & Regulations
4 available 4 • View allFederal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code 29
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.
Dec 8, 1987
48003
Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 On Consumer Protection 8
The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.
Aug 13, 2006
9985
Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection 0
The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).
Nov 10, 2020
657
Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law 0
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).
Sep 20, 2021
552

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What to do if our landlord keeps ignoring maintenance requests despite a clear contract? 0
Dear All,
We have a question related to private rental law in Dubai. We have been living in the same house (rented) for the last four years.
During those years, we have had to battle our landlord for maintenance at large. Our contract states that ALL maintenance is on his account (no deductible).
We have a lot of small maintenance issues, such as kitchen cabinets that are coming loose, a sewage smell in the house, and a toilet upstairs that still doesn't work after four years (despite attempted maintenance).
How can we deal with him and get him to honor the contract and resolve all of our issues so we can use the house properly? What legal steps can we take?
We have informed him plenty of times over the four years about the problems, but he seems to "ghost" us and does not reply very often.
We have issued him a warning to get things fixed by the end of this month (via WhatsApp), but he doesn't seem to mind.
Hope you can help with advice and maybe RERA down the line.
May 22, 2025
20
Can a friend be held liable for sharing my private medical information without my consent? 0
Hello,
I have found out that a friend divulged sensitive and private medical information to others without my consent.
Is this against the law?
May 22, 2025
18
After evicting a tenant for renovation, can the landlord rent the property to another tenant? 0
Hello,
If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?
May 22, 2025
28
Can I travel outside the UAE if I have a complaint for breach of trust by embezzlement? 0
Hello,
I have a complaint registered against me. The crime description is "breach of trust by embezzlement."
Can I travel outside the UAE? I don't have any travel ban against me.
May 22, 2025
19
How can I avoid salary account seizure if Dubai Courts have ordered my assets to be frozen? 0
Hello,
Dubai Courts have sent a circular to freeze my assets in a cheque execution case dating back to 2023.
An installment plan was in place, but I missed payments.
The outstanding amount is AED 26,000. How can I avoid seizure of my salary bank account?
Thank you!
May 22, 2025
18

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Can a lawyer with an expired professional license still represent me in court? 0
Hello,
I have given a POA to a lawyer to fight my case, but now I got to know his professional license expired 20 days ago.
Is it allowed for him to represent me in court with an expired license?
May 27, 2025
16
How can I clear an absconding case and claim my settlement after jail time? 0
Sir,
I was in jail for 2 months in a drugs case, and then my company filed an absconding case against me.
Now they are not removing the absconding case and are not ready to give me the settlement money.
What do I have to do?
May 9, 2025
37
Can we legally claim unpaid dues for food supplies based on emails and invoices? 0
Hello,
We have an agreement with a company to supply food for their buffet on a daily basis, with invoices to be issued monthly and payment to be made every three months.
The relationship actually lasted for nine months, and payment was made for two periods. In the third period, due to disagreements between our company and the company to which the supply was made, they refused to pay, noting that the outstanding amount so far is fifty-four thousand dirhams.
Can we claim the amount, noting that the agreement is not written, but there are emails exchanged between us and invoices?
May 7, 2025
31
How long does Dubai Court take to seize the amount and lift my travel ban? 0
Hello,
How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?
May 3, 2025
50
Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
42

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My RDC case says, "Enquire about shares and bonds." How can I request an installment payment? 0
Hello,
My RDC case says "enquire about shares and bonds," which I assume means freezing my bank accounts.
How can I approach this and request them for an instalment or initial payment?
May 22, 2025
13
Is it possible to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn? 0
Hello,
My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case.
Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?
May 22, 2025
26
Can I request maintenance from my husband even if he cancels our visas and sends us home? 0
Good day, lawyers!
My husband is cheating on me. He also flirts a lot with other girls on his other social media account. Then I found out that I was pregnant.
We already have one daughter, and I just want a peaceful home for me and my children. Can I ask for a separate house and maintenance for us?
I don't have work because I was focused on our daughter and our house. Also, what if he finds out that I am planning to get maintenance from him and he cancels our visa? Can I still get maintenance while in our country?
I also learned that he is planning to send me and my children back to our country before I give birth so that he can live like a single man. I don't have money to pay for a lawyer because he's not giving me an allowance. What should I do?
Thank you so much, and I hope someone can help me!
May 22, 2025
11
Can my landlord evict me if he is selling the property to someone else? 0
Hello,
Can my landlord evict me if he is selling the property to someone else?
I am currently running a restaurant from the location.
May 14, 2025
26
Can I appeal a deportation in the UAE if I was unknowingly involved in a crypto scam? 0
Hello,
Please, I need help. I had a case where someone sent money to my account. I was selling USDT, but another person used me, scammed the person, and sent money to my account.
I sent the USDT. I didn't know the person who sent the money to my account, so I gave him the USDT. Later, I was arrested for scam and using cryptocurrency without a license.
The judgment came out: to pay 900 AED, 1 month imprisonment, and deportation. Please, can I appeal not to be deported?
May 20, 2025
40

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My lawyer overcharged me for registering my labour case. What should I do? 0
Hello,
My lawyer has charged me more than the actual amount for registering my labour case.
What should I do?
May 13, 2025
30
After evicting a tenant for renovation, can the landlord rent the property to another tenant? 0
Hello,
If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?
May 22, 2025
28
If the Public Prosecution appeals a not-guilty verdict with no new evidence, will it stay the same? 0
Hi Sir,
My husband had a judgment where he was found not guilty, as the misdemeanor court stated that it doubts the charges against the accused and found no conclusive evidence except the statements in the report files.
The court considered this invalid because there was no translator. After this, if the Public Prosecution appeals, will the verdict remain unchanged and be upheld if there is nothing more than this
Can you shed some light from your experience on this issue and say if the result will remain the same?
May 20, 2025
29
What can I do if a contractor failed to deliver a paid renovation project? 0
Hello,
I paid a contractor (via bank transfers) to deliver a project (1BHK renovation – full), and they did not.
What action can I take against them in Dubai?
May 19, 2025
33
كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
33
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