Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allNew job, similar industry: Can my former employer sue for breach of non-compete?



3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I had a contract with my former employer that had a 3-year non-compete clause. This was an internal company contract.
I later signed another contract with the Dubai Media City Authority, which only mentions that my non-compete is limited to the territory of Dubai.
Which contract am I bound by?
Additionally, the line of business is different between my former employer and my new employer. However, my former employer is saying that they will take legal action and file a case against me.
My new employer has a business within their group umbrella that is similar to one of the products of my former employer.
Can I be held legally liable?




Nov 2, 2023
205
Can we take legal action against a former employee directing clients to other companies?




2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Can we take any action against a former employee who is directing clients to other companies in the UAE?





+2
Jun 24, 2024
577
Can my former employer file a case against me for working with a former client?

1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
I’m returning to Dubai after being away for a month and moving to a client of my previous company.
Can my former employer file a case against me three months after my visa cancellation?


Aug 15, 2024
120
How to defend yourself against a breach of trust case filed by your employer?




0
Q: Hi
My friend left her job 6 months back and started working as a freelancer. She had signed an NDA and her MOL contract had a non-compete clause as well.
Her old company has filed a breach of trust complaint at the police station for sharing company secrets in her communication with their old clients.
1. Does this qualify as a criminal case? Her lawyer says it was after her resigning so should it not be civil?
2. What’s her worst-case scenario? Fines? Imprisonment? Deportation?





Dec 16, 2024
144
I signed an NDA not to join a competitor company. Is this agreement enforceable according to UAE law?




0
Q: In the UAE, I joined an IT company as an IT salesperson. I signed an NDA stating that I will not join any competitor company.
After my visa cancellation from that company, can I still join any IT company according to UAE law?





+1
Apr 22, 2025
59
Can my old employer sue me for a non-compete clause that's only in the offer letter?


0
Q: Hi,
I was previously working in a company based in DMCC and have now moved to Hamriyah Free Zone. In my DMCC contract, there was no mention of a non-compete, but my offer letter includes one.
Now, in my new organization, if my old customers start to contact me for business, am I liable for any legal action from my previous employer?



Apr 28, 2025
25
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal?




0
Q: I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?





+1
Apr 30, 2025
24
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allAn Overview of the New UAE Labor Law and Recent Amendments of 2024 235
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.
Sep 10, 2024
93397
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 On the Regulation of Labor Relations 34
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).
Sep 20, 2021
27199
Federal Law No. (8) of 1980 Concerning the Regulation of Labor Relations 53
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.
Apr 20, 1980
103799
Ministerial Decree No. (765) of 2015 On Rules and Conditions for the Termination of Employment Relations 8
This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.
Sep 27, 2015
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