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What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer?

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!

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Future Vision Advocates Legal Consultancy
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24 Apr 2025, 10:02

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out!

In cases like yours involving unpaid invoices, UAE law provides clear mechanisms for debt recovery. Here is a brief overview:

- Legal Action:

You can file a civil claim before the relevant court or initiate a payment order case if the debt is supported by written proof (e.g., signed invoice, delivery notes).

- Required Documents:

Prepare the signed invoice, delivery notes, correspondence/emails, and any acknowledgment of debt.

- Timeline:

If documents are complete, a payment order case may be resolved in as little as 1–3 months, while a full civil case may take longer, depending on the circumstances.

- When to Act:

Since 8 months have passed with no payment, we recommend initiating legal action without further delay to protect your company’s rights.

We invite you to book a consultation or authorize us to handle the recovery process professionally on your behalf.

Best regards,

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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24 Apr 2025, 10:14

Dear Inquirer,

You can file a civil lawsuit to recover the amount. The required documents include the invoice, delivery notes, and emails. The process usually takes 3-6 months.

If you have any further inquiries, feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to assist you.

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London Center for Legal Consultancy Office
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24 Apr 2025, 10:14

According to UAE law, you can file a civil claim to recover the unpaid amount. You should prepare documents such as delivery notes, invoices, written communications, and any signed agreements.

Legal proceedings may take a few months, depending on the court’s schedule and the complexity of the case.

It is advisable to initiate legal action after 30 to 60 days of non-payment if amicable solutions fail.

Our legal center specializes in such disputes and cases. You may contact us via WhatsApp for further legal support and inquiries.

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Al Fahad Legal Consulting
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24 Apr 2025, 10:15

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for contacting us!

We understand the difficulty of facing non-payment, and we’re pleased to assist. Please find our guidance below:

1. Legal Action Available:

You may file a commercial claim before the competent court to recover the unpaid amount. If the case is in Dubai and the amount is under AED 500,000, the matter must first be filed with the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes.

2. Required Documents:

To proceed effectively, we recommend preparing the following:

- Invoices issued to the customer,

- Signed delivery notes,

- Purchase orders or contracts (if available), and

- Email or WhatsApp communications showing follow-ups or acknowledgments of debt.

3. Duration of Legal Process:

Amicable settlement may take 1–2 months. Court proceedings typically take 3–6 months, depending on the complexity and the other party’s response.

4. Timeline for Action:

While UAE law allows up to 15 years to claim commercial debts, we strongly advise initiating action within 6–12 months of default to preserve your position and improve your recovery chances.

Should you wish to proceed, we would be happy to assist you with issuing a legal notice or filing the case on your behalf.

Best regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

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Eman Al Ali Advocates & Legal Consultants
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24 Apr 2025, 10:29

Hello,

In Dubai, first, a civil lawsuit must be filed based on receipts and documents. This lawsuit takes approximately 3 months.

For more details, contact us at this number [-----------].

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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24 Apr 2025, 10:49

Hello,

You can initiate a civil claim before the UAE courts to recover the outstanding AED 50,000. Before that, sending a formal legal notice demanding payment is advisable, as it may prompt a resolution without court involvement.

To strengthen your claim, gather and organize the signed purchase order or agreement (if any), invoice(s) issued to the client, delivery notes or acknowledgment of receipt, email or WhatsApp correspondence showing follow-ups or the client’s acknowledgment, any cheque copies or partial payments (if applicable).

Commercial cases of this nature typically take 4 to 6 months at the First Instance Court. This can vary depending on case complexity and whether the debtor contests the claim.

Since 8 months have passed without payment, it's an appropriate time to begin formal steps.

For further assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

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Ahkam Legal Consultancy
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24 Apr 2025, 10:53

If you possess sufficient documentation to substantiate the transactions, such as delivery notes, invoices, emails, etc., you may proceed with filing a financial case against the opposing party.

For more legal steps, contact us.

Thank you!

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Dar Al Haqooq Legal Consultancy
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24 Apr 2025, 11:18

Dear Client,

Thank you for reaching out regarding the outstanding payment issue!

Please find below guidance on your queries:

1. Legal Action for Recovery:

If amicable efforts and reminders have not yielded results, you may proceed with formal legal action through the UAE courts. This typically involves filing a commercial case for debt recovery. Alternatively, you may consider engaging a licensed debt collection agency.

2. Required Documentation:

To strengthen your case, it is important to have the following documents ready:

- Signed contracts or purchase agreements (if available),

- Invoices detailing the amount due and payment terms,

- Delivery notes or proof of receipt of goods,

- All correspondence with the customer (emails, messages, formal reminders), and

- A copy of the formal demand letter sent to the customer.

3. Duration of the Legal Process:

The length of the legal process can vary. Uncontested cases may be resolved within a few months, while more complex or disputed matters can take 6–12 months or longer, depending on court schedules and the debtor’s response.

4. Recommended Timeline for Legal Action:

While there is no strict legal deadline, it is advisable to initiate legal proceedings if payment has not been received after repeated reminders and a final demand letter, typically after 2–3 months of non-payment.

5. Next Steps:

We recommend gathering all relevant documents and sending a final formal demand letter to the customer. If there is still no response or settlement, consult with a legal professional to initiate court proceedings.

Should you require assistance with drafting documents or legal representation, please let us know.

Best regards,

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Hend Humaid Alnuaimi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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24 Apr 2025, 11:19

Legal actions available include negotiation, small claims court filing, civil lawsuits, issuing payment orders, or engaging collection agencies. Required documents include invoices and delivery notes.

The typical legal process duration ranges from a few months to over a year. Legal steps should ideally be initiated within six months after the payment due date.

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Al Hajeya Alnoobi Advocates and Legal Consultants
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24 Apr 2025, 11:49

Hello,

In the UAE, you can take legal action to recover the unpaid amount of AED 50,000 by filing a civil claim for the outstanding debt.

It is important to ensure you have all relevant documents ready, including signed delivery notes, invoices, any written agreements, and email communications that show the supply and the follow-up.

The legal process usually starts with a legal notice demanding payment. If the customer still does not pay, you can file a case before the competent civil court. The court process can take around 4 to 6 months, depending on the complexity and the court's schedule.

There is no fixed deadline, but it is advisable to act promptly after 6 months of non-payment. The limitation period for such claims is generally 5 years under UAE law, but early action increases the chance of recovery.

If you prefer to have a direct discussion, please let me know, and I will guide you on how we may proceed.

Alternatively, if you require further clarification, you may kindly share your WhatsApp number here so that I can provide more detailed assistance.

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Galal Hussein Legal Consultancies & Advocates
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24 Apr 2025, 11:57

Hello,

We can issue an official legal notice to the client, demanding payment within a specified period (usually 5 days). This notice must be issued through an authorized lawyer and is considered a necessary preliminary step before resorting to the court.

If the client does not respond, we can file a civil lawsuit before the competent court to claim the unpaid amount. The lawsuit may also include a request for compensation due to the delay in payment and the damages you have incurred as a result.

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Al Kayaan Advocates and Legal Consultants
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24 Apr 2025, 12:31

Hello,

As per your query, we can send a legal notice with a 5-day legal period and then file a performance order. You will get a judgment within 3 working days, but it depends on the documents.

So please share your documents with us by email or WhatsApp.

Thanks!

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Jassim Ali Al Haddad Lawyers and Legal Consultants
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25 Apr 2025, 08:06

Hello,

1. What legal action can we take to recover the amount?

Start by sending a notarized legal notice requesting the payment within 5 business days. If this action didn't yield a result, then file a commercial case before the competent court requesting the full outstanding amount plus compensation.

2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?

In addition, you should have a copy of the agreement or work order (if any), copies of the exchanged correspondences, and the SOA as per your system, showing the outstanding amount.

3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases?

About 3-6 months, approximately.

4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?

As we advised in (1) above, if no response is received within the 5 business days' notice, it is advisable to start your case without any delay.

We are ready to provide our legal services to assist you in recovering your dues.

Please contact us via phone or email.

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Amiri Advocates & Legal Consultants
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25 Apr 2025, 11:26

Hello,

1. Send a legal notice, and after one week, file a case in the civil court.

2. All documents must be translated into Arabic.

3. It depends on many factors.

4. After two years from the transaction, your right to claim is lost.

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