Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

What can non-Muslim woman do if husband won't sign divorce papers in Dubai?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am a non-Muslim Indian woman married to a non-Muslim Indian man, living in Dubai. We got married in 2012 in the UK, where the marriage is registered. Unfortunately, the marriage has broken down irreparably over the past six years. I filed for divorce in October 2022, and my husband initially cooperated with the calls and summons from courts, agreeing to a divorce by mutual consent with no alimony. However, on the day of signing the documents and collecting the decree in January, he changed his mind, refused to sign, and pleaded for more time. He has since refused to take calls from the court or respond to any questions related to the divorce. 1. Besides waiting, what are my options in this situation? 2. How does the court respond to a spouse who initially agrees to a divorce and then reneges on their promise? 3. If a spouse continues to evade the courts in a divorce case, how long can the case last?

How to fix mismatched job titles in visa and employment contract?

Q: Hi, I was reviewing my brother`s documents to prepare the submission for verification of employment requirements in our country. I noticed that the designation in his visa and employment contract does not match. He actually works as a video editor, but his visa lists his job as an "electrical equipment assembler," while his employment contract lists it as a "computer assembler." How did this happen, and what problems might it cause in the future? What actions should we take? Our country requires an explanation letter from the company for such discrepancies. What could be the reason for this discrepancy? Thank you for your response!

When can a landlord issue a rent increase notice to the tenant?

Q: Hello, I have two questions: 1. When can a landlord issue a termination notice to the tenant? 2. When can a landlord issue a rent increase notice to the tenant? Best Regards,

Lifting a travel ban and visa renewal after overstaying to return to the UAE

Q: Assalamu Alaikum, I overstayed in the UAE for almost 13 months in 2021 and was held by Ajman immigration and sent back to Pakistan. At the time, I was on a partner visa from Sharjah Shams Freezone which had expired. Now, I want to return to the UAE and need to know if there is a travel ban or restriction on me entering the UAE. What should I do?

Bank filed a cheque case and travel ban despite cooperation. What to do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Based on the advice from the bank, I have been paying a minimum amount towards the card because of other settlement plans. Surprisingly, the bank filed a cheque execution case, and a travel ban is issued. I have always cooperated with the bank but they did this to me. The bank has all the documents that I shared and I have all the communications and payments made through. I need advice on how to resolve this.

The company wants to cut my basic pay under a new contract. What to do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I currently have an unlimited contract with no notice period provided. However, my residence visa, work permit, and EID are expiring, and the company wants to cut my basic pay under a new contract, which is unacceptable to me. I have served for less than 5 years. I have the following questions: 1. If termination does not occur, can I continue working beyond the expiration of my visa, permit, and EID? 2. Is there a minimum notice period for termination of employment under an unlimited contract after the expiration of my visa, permit, and EID? 3. What is the EOSB after one year but below 5 years as of 2023, one month per year of service or less? Thank you for your assistance!

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How to get a residence visa in the UAE after getting divorce and cancelling my visa?

Q: I got a residence visa followed by an Emirates ID after getting married to my husband who was already living in Abu Dhabi. Afterward, the marriage didn`t work out, unfortunately. I filed a khula case in Pakistan and got divorced. Now, I wanted to know what would be my UAE residence visa status. Will I get a visa extension? Or how can I substitute the sponsor on my Emirates ID? Can I obtain a visa independently if I want to continue living in UAE?

Obligation to pay the repatriation expenses to an employee upon resignation

Q: Kindly advise if the company (Dubai based) is obliged to pay the employee the cost of an air ticket back home country upon resignation. It`s a limited contract and the notice period was served, but the employee didn`t finish the contract (worked for 11 months & 20 days only).

Cancellation of an off-plan property while the SPA is not signed and the project is completed

Q: Cancellation of an off-plan property while the SPA is not signed and the project is completed.

Traveling after a criminal case: Is a clearance certificate needed for airport?

Q: Hi, I had a criminal case with a travel ban last year, and the judgment is that I am innocent. I am traveling back to my country next month for my vacation. Do I need a police clearance to present at the airport? Is there any way for me to obtain court clearance online, or should I visit the court?

How can I file a harassment case against my superior without losing my rights?

Q: I am facing harassment and bullying at work from my superior, who also addresses me by a vulgar and indecent term. Even though he had made sexual advances towards me, I only have proof of his email, wherein he addresses me by this vulgar term. I informed another superior about this, who told me to take it easy or resign from the position. From the information I have collected, similar incidents have happened to others in the company, and when they complained, it took very long periods to reach a resolution, during which they went through severe mental trauma. The resolutions were often simply to move them to another department without taking any action against the harasser. Hence, I feel helpless as to how to proceed. I want to go to the police with the email evidence. However, I wonder if they would not consider the case, saying I should have complained to the company first. Kindly advise on a possible solution.

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I left Dubai with a pending loan and I cleared the entire amount now. Can I come back?

Q: Hi, I had a loan from a bank and I came back from Dubai in 2015. Now in 2023, I have cleared the entire amount taken from the bank and have a payment receipt as well. There is no case filed according to my knowledge as I was only getting collection calls all this while. Now, I want to travel to Dubai on a visit. Do I need to have any clearance from the bank or immigration?

How to report the theft of debit card through an unknown online purchase?

Q: Hi Late last year, I was frauded and lost money from my bank account online by an unknown person who somehow made an online purchase using my debit. I reported it to the bank immediately when I noticed the fraudulent activity and at the same time managed to block and replace the card. Following with the bank, they brushed off the case and informed me to report it to the police which I did but to no help as I was told the only way was to register the case online. Until now, nothing came out of it. Is there anyone here who can really help on the way forward? I feel I did all I was required to do but no help. I have a family and kids and this was so much money to lose for a regular expatriate like me. Please, can someone advise?

No case update for 8 months. How to check?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have an accident claim case. My lawyers have not given me any judgment or status updates about my case for 8 months. How can I check or reach out to them?

ماذا يحدث إذا تأخر العميل في دفع مستحقات شركة للاتصالات؟

س: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، تراكمت علي فاتورة من شركة للاتصالات بمبلغ 4800 درهم. لم أدفع بسبب التزامات وبعض الظروف المادية ومضى أكثر من سنة ونصف والعقد بيني وبينهم مدته سنتين وسينتهي في مارس 2023. ماذا يحدث إذا تأخرت في الدفع حتى تتحسن الظروف؟

Can unmarried parents apply to UAE parents for custody arrangements in the UAE?

Q: Hi, I have a question. Can unmarried parents apply to UAE parents for custody arrangements in the UAE? We have never been and this is what is stated in the documents.