Hello, I want to confirm: if an employee is terminated during the probation period, does the employer have to pay them their accrued annual leave, even if it's during the probation period? Or is the employee only eligible for leave payment after the probation period? Thanks!

I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

My wife was pregnant and gave birth in the first week of her seventh month. The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month. Now the company she works for is refusing to pay her full salary and is offering to pay only half her salary. Do they have the right to do this? What are my wife's rights with the company she works for, and how can we demand them?

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Hello, How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?

Hi, I need some guidance regarding a property transaction that is not progressing as expected. My broker initiated a manual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between me (the Buyer) and the Seller, with an expiry date of 01/02/2025. Within this period, I successfully arranged the bank mortgage, property evaluation, and NOC. However, the broker started giving excuses, such as the seller being hospitalized. Later, the broker attempted to arrange a Power of Attorney (POA). However, after that, they started ignoring my messages and calls. It now seems like they no longer intend to proceed with me, and the MOU has already expired. Meanwhile, my bank EMI has already started, and I have paid two monthly installments. The broker is still unresponsive. I have raised multiple complaints through DLD RVS against the broker, but the response has been very slow and unsatisfactory. I’m feeling stuck and financially burdened. Please advise

Hey, I'm building my house in Dubai, and it was going well. I gave the contractor 420k as a first payment, and we both agreed that the rest would be in installments. Just two months ago, the contractor went off the grid, and I can't find him. All I have is a security cheque that bounced back when I went to the bank, as the signature doesn't match what's in the file. However, I learnt that he does have money, but not the amount that's in the cheque. What should I do now to get my money back? I need advice.

Hello, I was an employee of a major group in the UAE. Now, they have transferred me to another entity within the same group in the UAE. What happens to the benefits and allowances agreed upon by the first entity? Please provide the legal details related to this matter, along with the relevant statutory provisions.

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?

Dears, May ask if the employee is terminated today, what is his eligibility for final settlement calculation? He worked for 6 months only.

Hello, My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself. However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system. Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?

I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? It was filmed with my phone camera

We won the case with the RDC that the tenant has to evict the property. We are told there is a cooling period before they say the date he has to leave. How long is the cooling period he can appeal and then what happens next if he appeals and if he doesn't? He was served the one-year notice and then refused to leave, hence the case we raised with RDC and won. Thank you

Hello, Is it legally permissible for an employee holding a Fujairah free zone visa with a job role in sales and marketing to primarily work remotely from various locations, including Dubai, while visiting the Fujairah-based company once a week? The employee would meet clients and conduct business activities on the UAE mainland. Does this arrangement comply with UAE labor laws?

Hello lawyers, Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? How many hours are they entitled to?

I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Hello, After the 7-day notice period in a cheque execution case, how long do I have to file for enforcement? Is it acceptable to wait and file after one month as I’m out of the country?

I filed a money claim above AED 10,000 (but will probably be above AED 50,000 if capital + dividends are combined) against someone in Abu Dhabi. The mediation time has elapsed, 2 court sessions have been done, and the defendant still hasn’t shown up or appeared in either of those. In the last/latest court session, the judge said that the defendant is still inside the UAE. About the travel ban, is it automatically applied to him because of the case, or do I have to ask/request it to be applied to him through the Abu Dhabi court?

Hello, How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?

Hello, We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date. We would appreciate guidance on the following: 1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount? 2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)? 3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases? 4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated? Thank you in advance for your advice!

Hello, My ex-wife has custody of our 3-year-old daughter. She is a converted Muslim, but she has a Christian boyfriend, and I think they are living together. What actions can I take about it?

Good morning. My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract. Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use. Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.

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

Dear lawyer I seek help on whether I can return to the UAE or not. I exited the UAE on an outpass due to overstaying. I have been patient for more than 7 months. I was advised that I am able to return to the UAE. The process was successful, and I traveled to the UAE, but I was denied entry to the UAE at immigration. Why? I was only overstaying, I hadn't been a criminal, just my boss refused to do a visa for me. After overstaying, my employers traveled to their country. I had no idea how to resolve the issue other than to get an outpass and go back home.

I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? It was filmed with my phone camera

Does a cheque bounce affect my AECB score? Is there a policy for this?

I got RDSC judgment in my favor awarding termination of my lease from May 2024 to May 2025. The landlord made an appeal and lied about my request for termination on 4 December. My lawyer didn't give any response so the landlord won the appeal. Recently, the Landlord asked for the keys back and said I have overstayed since 4 Dec for not returning the key. He said he could cash my last rent cheque and wouldn't return the deposit. I gave him my friend's address and said to pick up the key from there but to return my deposit and last rent cheque but he does not agree. He wants to keep the deposit.

Salam Alaykum What are the wife's rights after Tafreeq (separation)? Does it lead to divorce? Thank you for the answer in advance.

Hi In an RDC enforcement case, what is the best way to pay? 1. On the RDC app or directly to the landlord? 2. I will pay today 1/3 of the outstanding, can I apply for a payment plan and how shall I do this? Please advise. Also, what will it cost me to get assistance in this process? Thank you

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Hello, Can I keep my daughter's physical Emirates ID with me? I already provided the digital copy to the custodian, my ex-wife. Or should I hand it over to her?

I am in the process of applying for a golden visa, and the nomination letter from Creators HQ will take up to 4 weeks. In the meantime, my previous employer has started my labour card cancellation. Amer has told me that my visa and labour card need to be active before my golden visa is issued. How can I stop my former employer from cancelling my labour card and visa?

Hello, How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?

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?

Hello, I want to confirm: if an employee is terminated during the probation period, does the employer have to pay them their accrued annual leave, even if it's during the probation period? Or is the employee only eligible for leave payment after the probation period? Thanks!

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Hello, I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year. My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID. Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases? The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority. I look forward to your response. Thanks.

Dear Legal Advice Middle East, I hope you are well. I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED. However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid. I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels. This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship. As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline. Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.

Hello, An investor has a residence visa valid until February 2027; however, he wishes to close the company before the current license expires in December 2025. Can the investor still legally reside in the UAE until the residence visa expires?