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Our CEO made a defamatory comment about me to our staff. Can I file a complaint?

Hello,

Our CEO made a defamatory comment about me to our staff. Can I file a complaint?

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Hend Humaid Alnuaimi Advocates & Legal Consultants
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9 Jul 2025, 08:57

Yes, you can file a defamation complaint against your CEO in the UAE either criminally or through labour channels if you have evidence and witnesses.

9 Jul 2025, 08:57

The law protects individuals from public insult, especially in the workplace.

9 Jul 2025, 08:59

I have the staff who our CEO talked with during that time. To save himself from the crisis of the company, he made comments that is defamatory to my image as their supervisor.

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Ahkam Legal Consultancy
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9 Jul 2025, 09:00

Thank you for reaching out regarding the defamatory comments made by your CEO!

Under UAE law, defamation is treated as a criminal offense, and you have the right to file a complaint with the police or the Public Prosecution.

It is crucial to gather any evidence, such as witness statements, messages, or recordings, to support your case.

Additionally, if these comments have impacted your work environment, you may also consider filing a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).

Given the sensitivity and complexity of such matters, I recommend scheduling a consultation so we can review the details of your situation and guide you on the best course of action to protect your rights.

Please let me know a convenient time for you to discuss this further.

9 Jul 2025, 09:01

Now is the best time for consultation.

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Jassim Ali Al Haddad Lawyers and Legal Consultants
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9 Jul 2025, 09:11

Dear Inquirer,

We are pleased to serve you and address your inquiries.

You can file a complaint with the police if there are violations that constitute one of the criminal offenses stipulated in the Penal Code, or if there is an administrative violation, you can file a complaint with either the company or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Kindly contact us via email or call our offices in Dubai or Sharjah.

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London Center for Legal Consultancy Office
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9 Jul 2025, 09:19

Yes, under UAE law, defamatory statements, even within the workplace, are considered a criminal offense.

If your reputation or professional standing has been harmed, you have the right to file a formal complaint.

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One Corplegal Consultancy Services
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9 Jul 2025, 09:20

Hello,

Defamation is a criminal offence in the UAE. You can file a complaint if someone makes false, damaging statements about you.

You must prove the comments were false and harmed your reputation.

Gather evidence, like messages, emails, or witnesses who heard the remarks.

You can first raise the issue internally (HR complaint or grievance) if you want to settle it without police action.

If not resolved, you can file a criminal complaint with the police.

You may also be able to claim civil compensation if you suffered losses.

Be careful. You need clear proof before filing, as making a false complaint can backfire.

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Future Vision Advocates Legal Consultancy
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9 Jul 2025, 09:21

Dear Inquirer,

Yes, if your CEO made defamatory comments that harmed your reputation or dignity in the workplace, you may have grounds to file a legal complaint under UAE law, whether civil or criminal, depending on the nature and impact of the statements.

To assess the strength of your case and the appropriate legal steps, we recommend booking a consultation or authorizing our office to act on your behalf.

Contact Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy today to protect your rights.

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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9 Jul 2025, 09:22

You Can File a Complaint If:

- The CEO said or wrote false statements that harmed your reputation.

- The statements were made in front of other employees or in group emails/chats.

- You have evidence (witnesses, emails, messages, recordings, if legally obtained).

You can file a criminal complaint at the police station in the Emirate where the incident occurred.

Alternatively, you may file a civil claim for compensation due to emotional or reputational damage after filing the criminal complaint.

Gather all evidence (emails, witnesses, screenshots, etc.). Write a detailed summary of what happened (dates, location, witnesses). Contact a lawyer to prepare the criminal complaint and advise on any civil damages claim.

If you'd like my help preparing the complaint or reviewing your evidence, please share your WhatsApp number.

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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9 Jul 2025, 10:00

Hello,

Yes, in the UAE, defamation is taken seriously, and you can file a complaint if your CEO made defamatory comments about you, whether to your colleagues, staff, or anyone else.

If you believe these comments have damaged your reputation or caused harm, please contact us.

Defamation in the UAE falls under both criminal law and civil law, which means you can pursue criminal charges or a civil lawsuit depending on the nature of the case.

If you decide to pursue criminal action, you can file a police report.

For further assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

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Rashid Al Kaitoob Advocates and Legal Consultants
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9 Jul 2025, 15:32

Thank you for contacting us via Legal Advice Middle East!

Your situation involves defamatory statements made by a CEO in a workplace context, which we've successfully pursued in nearly identical cases.

In one recent matter, an employee was publicly accused by senior management of misconduct without proof, damaging their reputation internally.

We filed a criminal complaint for defamation and a civil claim for moral damages, both of which were admitted and resulted in financial compensation and a formal apology.

Yes, you have the legal right in the UAE to file a criminal complaint for defamation or insult, especially if the statements were made in front of others, caused harm to your reputation, and were not backed by any disciplinary procedure.

The UAE penal system treats defamatory remarks, whether oral, written, or electronic, with seriousness, particularly in professional settings.

There are multiple legal avenues available depending on the medium used (verbal, email, internal memo, etc.), and whether witnesses or evidence are available.

You may also file a labour complaint for workplace harassment if the comments created a hostile or damaging work environment.

The most strategic step is to first document everything: who was present, what was said, and how it affected you.

We can assist you in filing the criminal complaint with police or public prosecution, and prepare a parallel civil case for moral and reputational damages if applicable.

To advise you precisely, we need to review the context, your employment documents, and any available evidence.

Our legal team speaks Arabic, English, Russian, Hindi, and Chinese and will support you at every step.

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Dar Al Haqooq Legal Consultancy
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10 Jul 2025, 07:27

Dear Sir,

Yes, you can file a complaint if your CEO made defamatory comments about you to other staff members.

In the UAE, defamation (including verbal or written statements that harm your reputation) is a criminal offence and can be reported to the police.

Recommended steps:

1. Collect Evidence: Gather any witnesses, emails, messages, or recordings of the defamatory comments.

2. File a Police Complaint: Visit your local police station and file a defamation complaint, providing all available evidence.

3. Consider Civil Action: You may also file a civil case for damages if the defamation has caused you financial or emotional harm.

If you need assistance preparing your complaint or require further legal advice, please let me know.

Best regards,

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Ibrahim Al Banna Advocates & Legal Consultants
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10 Jul 2025, 07:45

Thank you for your message!

If your CEO made defamatory statements about you in front of others at work, and those comments harmed your reputation or dignity, you may have grounds to file a criminal complaint under UAE law for defamation or insult, especially if the remarks were false and damaging.

This applies even if the incident happened in a workplace setting.

Before proceeding, we would need to evaluate the exact words used, how many people witnessed it, and whether any of it was documented (emails, voice recordings, messages, or witness statements).

These details are important to assess the strength of your case and whether the complaint should be filed with the police or through a labour-related route.

I’d be happy to discuss the best legal steps to protect your rights and reputation.

Please reach out to me directly by WhatsApp or phone at [-----------] to take this forward.

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