Q: Dear Sir/ Madam, I would like to have an advice about a bounced cheque. I got a cheque against my pending salary from the company where I used to work before in Dubai. However, the cheque bounced and I filed a complaint at the police station. I was expecting a reply from the police station, as per my knowledge. Yesterday, the company owner called me and said that the police had arrested him and he has paid the fine, so the case is dismissed. I would like to know if I need to file a civil case now or I have to wait till I get a reply from the police in order to recover my money. For the civil case, where and how can I file the complaint? Thanks & regards

Q: Hello A DIFC based company I work for hasn't paid 5 months worth of salary, plus business travel expenses. The total so far is around AED 700K. In addition, if I leave the company, there will be the gratuity and pay-in-lieu of unused vacation. The company is offering me post-dated cheques (cheques are in the name of the company, the signer is the group president and one of the shareholders). I am trying to get cheques above AED 200K (because if the cheques bounce it is a criminal charge, right?) 1- What are the consequences for the company and the owner if the cheques bounce? Will the signer face prison and travel ban? 2- How do I raise a complaint about the bounced cheques? Which police department or government authority I need to go to? 3- If the signer says the company doesn't have money to cover the cheque, because the company is not generating revenue or has many assets, then what happens? does he get away with it? Or goes to prison and faces a travel ban? Much appreciated Rick

Q: Hi, I filed a cheque bouncing case in Rashidiya police station. Police caught the guy. Now, he paid his fine. How will I recover my money of AED 135000 from that guy? What is the procedure through court? If he agrees to the mutual settlement, how it will do legally? Thanks In advance

Q: Hi, Actually, my old company has given a post-dated cheque for my final settlement. After that, the company owner ran from the UAE. My cheque bounced, I didn't give any complaint. Now I got information that the company is going to be taken over by another person. Is there any chance to get that money? Is there any validity for the bounced cheque?

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.

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

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 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.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).