Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCivil claim against a contractor for delay in house renovation

6
Q: Hello,
My husband and I awarded one of Dubai's contractors to do renovation in our apartment. We paid him 50% in advance according to the contract signed between us.
We paid another 20% after some time in response to his request to have an additional amount to buy the materials.
The renovation was supposed to be completed in one month, yet, 2 months and a half already passed and the contractor has not even bought the material he promised (tiles, sanitary-ware... etc.).
He promises but not delivering, postponing payments in all possible ways. Suppliers of the materials confirmed that payments had not been made by the contractor.
We have a clause of damage liquidating (contractor needs to pay 1000 AED/day), but he doesn't seem to take it seriously.
What is the best way to deal with this problem?
If we take him to court, how much do we need to pay for the file opening?
What damages he will experience - license termination?
How quick can we have the money back?
BR, J.


Dec 30, 2020
1805
Dealing with a pool contractor who used faulty materials causing leak?

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am looking for some advice.
Twelve months ago, we hired a contractor to install a concrete pool. To date, we haven't been able to use the pool due to a leak. They keep trying to "fix" it, but I have no confidence in them anymore.
Last week, another contractor came to the villa to look at it testing some of the fittings that I thought could be the reason. He removed some of the fittings and gave me a gut-wrenching comment.
The concrete used for the pool is, in his opinion, "not good."
What course of action can I take now?
I obviously need to get the pool fixed, but I'm assuming the contractor won't accept liability.
Can I involve the DM (Department of Municipality)?


Apr 30, 2023
126
Filing a complaint against a contractor for a faulty swimming pool



1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
How can we file a complaint against a contractor?
Our swimming pool was completed in October and has been leaking ever since. They have attempted to repair it twice, but it is still leaking.
We have sent them a letter stating that we are terminating the contract because they are unable to complete the work to an acceptable standard.
What should be our next step?




Apr 5, 2023
168
How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work in Dubai?

0
Q: How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work in Dubai?
The contractor agreed to refund but he isn’t transferring the money. He is just dragging me around with fake promises.


Mar 24, 2025
105
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allContracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1172
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal 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. (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
148643

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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.
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Can a friend be held liable for sharing my private medical information without my consent? 0
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I have found out that a friend divulged sensitive and private medical information to others without my consent.
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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
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If the company loses my passport, what can I do? 0
Hello,
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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
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Can I renew my visa if I received a message from Dubai police that I have travel ban? 0
I received a message from the Dubai police in which they said that I have a travel ban on my Emirates ID, and I should contact the Dubai court.
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May 22, 2025
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After acquittals by the first instance and appeals courts, can the case still go to the Court of Cassation? 0
Hello,
This is regarding an enquiry about a case where we were acquitted by the first instance court, that is, the trial court.
The prosecution appealed the judgment, and we also received an acquittal verdict from the misdemeanour appeal court.
I know there are still 30 days, but what are the chances it can be appealed to the Court of Cassation?
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I purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi. Can I evict the tenant immediately if there is no Tawtheeq contact? 0
I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered.
Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in.
However, I have already informed the tenant that I will not be renewing the lease. I need legal advice on the implications of proceeding without a Tawtheeq contract.
What are my risks, especially if the tenant refuses to move out?
What legal actions, if any, can the tenant take in this situation?
Mar 25, 2025
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What to do if you get terminated and denied gratuity for a minor mistake? 0
My brother has been working for a company for 11 years. In the last 3 weeks, he had an incident/accident and scratched a plane since he only had 1 person to assist him as the company was not hiring enough people.
Senior staff like him are working more to train inexperienced new hires which adds to their workload working almost 12 hours/day including travel to DWC.
The pilot said it was aesthetic and could be painted over but a police investigation ensued. Last week 3 managers and HR talked him down as the investigation concluded.
He was terminated immediately with only this month's pay and his 11-year gratuity will not be given by the company. It was not gross negligence or malicious intent, he just didn’t have enough people to help him.
He owned up to the mistake and reported the incident within 24 hours. Can he fight for the gratuity?
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How can a person under a deportation grant a POA to a trusted person for managing his assets? 1
A person currently under a deportation order wishes to appoint a trusted person with Power of Attorney (POA) to manage their financial and legal matters, including access to their bank account and other obligations.
What is the process for obtaining and registering a POA in this situation?
Can it be done while they are still in custody, and what steps should they follow to ensure?
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Will the court unfreeze my account automatically after alimony payment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
The Dubai Court has frozen my bank account because I was late on an alimony payment. The money was automatically deducted from my salary this month.
Will the court automatically unfreeze the account once this is done, or will I need to petition the court to issue an order to unfreeze it?
Jan 7, 2025
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What is the process of renewing the visa while a criminal case is still ongoing? 0
What is the process of renewing the visa while a criminal case is still ongoing?
I got first instance court judgment in my favor and was declared innocent, however, the prosecution filed the appeal.
My residence visa is due for renewal next week. Can I process my renewal or it is blocked till the time this case is over?
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Can a teacher search student bags without consent or suspicion? 0
Hello,
Is it okay for teachers to go through a student's school bag when the student is outside of class?
The student has no knowledge of the search and hasn't given consent, and has done nothing suspicious.
The teacher checked every bag in the classroom.
May 28, 2025
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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
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After acquittals by the first instance and appeals courts, can the case still go to the Court of Cassation? 0
Hello,
This is regarding an enquiry about a case where we were acquitted by the first instance court, that is, the trial court.
The prosecution appealed the judgment, and we also received an acquittal verdict from the misdemeanour appeal court.
I know there are still 30 days, but what are the chances it can be appealed to the Court of Cassation?
May 22, 2025
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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
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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
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A firm took payment but didn’t ship cargo or refund. Can we file a case? 0
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Apr 17, 2025
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Bought a used car with a tampered odometer. What legal steps can I take now? 0
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Can I petition for immediate eviction due to tenant violations and refusal to vacate after notice? 1
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I have a question regarding an immediate eviction petition to the Urgent Judge. The tenant did not return the apartment on 26 January 2025, despite a 12-month legal notice that ended on 25 January 2025.
The tenant rejected all gas and fire prevention maintenance for 12 months. Al-Fanar Gas submitted a report with the tenant's signature and refusal after the tenant broke the gas detector.
The apartment was sold, and the new owner gave the tenant 90 days' notice. The tenant refused to show the new owner the apartment and ran away, according to building management.
The tenant ignored the 12-month legal notice, did not return the apartment, broke the gas detector, and refused gas and fire detection system maintenance.
The deal will be voided if the new owner cannot enter the property promptly. Can I petition the Urgent Matters Judge for quick eviction based on the tenant's violations?
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How can I exit a partnership linked to an expired license and accumulating fines? 1
Good Day!
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The license has now expired and cannot be renewed because the deceased partner’s family is not cooperating, leading to fines due to the inability to renew it.
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As I am a low-salaried individual and cannot afford court fees, is there a way to remove myself from this situation, or are there any authorities who can assist me in this matter?
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Can I finalize our divorce in the UAE while my wife is in her country? 1
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We have agreed to divorce and do not have children. How should we proceed with the divorce process?
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Jan 2, 2025
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UAE credit card was used fraudulently abroad. Bank and police won’t act. What can I do? 0
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May 28, 2025
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If the company loses my passport, what can I do? 0
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If the company loses my passport, what can I do?
May 28, 2025
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Can a lawyer with an expired professional license still represent me in court? 0
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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
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Can a friend be held liable for sharing my private medical information without my consent? 0
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I have found out that a friend divulged sensitive and private medical information to others without my consent.
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May 22, 2025
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My RDC case says, "Enquire about shares and bonds." How can I request an installment payment? 0
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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
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