Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

If I do not pass my probation period and am terminated, what are my rights?

Q: Hello, I came to Abu Dhabi on the 3rd of January to work at a school, and my contract is for two years. A few days ago, the principal told me I need to leave because I did not pass my probation, which wasn’t done correctly. I was given an extension, and no one has observed my teaching. I will leave at the end of the academic year, but what are my rights now? Will I get paid for the holidays? What if I can’t find a job? Yours sincerely,

I canceled the Ejari for my tenant after he subleased my apartment. Can I file a case?

Q: I am a landlord. I gave my apartment to a guy who did not pay any rent and used my apartment for subleasing. I got so angry that I canceled the Ejari online on DLD and it got canceled easily. Now I sent an eviction notice to the tenant as the tenant is absconding and granted a broker his POA. So I am planning to file a case in RDC. Will it be accepted or rejected as I canceled the Ejari?

Is it possible to convert a deportation order to a fine in a theft case after serving sentence?

Q: Hi, Someone has a theft case with a sentence of 3 months and deportation then the sentence is already served and finished and the person tried to appeal but the judgment remained the same. What are the chances of requesting a deportation order to be converted into a fine so the person can pay a fine instead of being deported, and remain in the country?

Is it permissible for employees to sign a bond in order to fulfil their minimal obligations?

Q: Is it permissible for employees to sign a bond in order for them to fulfill their minimal obligation to the organization in the UAE? Please advise.

What can happen to you in Dubai if you get drunk and get in a fight with somebody?

Q: My friend got arrested by police at a public park. He was drunk and started a fight over there and they signed him a warning letter and left him. That day itself he got a message from Dubai police "Thank you for using Dubai Police services, the criminal case has been successfully registered. Ref........" Is it a problem for him? Kindly reply.

Where do I file for insolvency as an individual and for bankruptcy as a company?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Where do I file for insolvency as an individual under the Insolvency Act, and where do I file for bankruptcy as a company? Please provide specific locations. What happens if I don’t have any money to pay anything? Do I go to jail after filing for any of these if there is no way I can pay the debt even after liquidation?

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Can I put a travel ban on someone who owes us less than 10,000 AED?

Q: Hi, I just wanted to ask if I can put a travel ban on someone here in Dubai. They owe us money, but it is not more than 10,000 AED; it is around 9,000 AED. When I looked online, it seems it should be more than 10,000 AED. Can you please help me with this?

What is the Major Criminal Circuit Court, and what punishments does it issue?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the Major Criminal Circuit Court of First Instance, and what are the possible punishments it issues?

How can I check the reason for immigration ban and travel home if I never had a legal case?

Q: Hi, I planned to travel back to my home country and when I reached the airport, the immigration told me I had a ban. However, I do not have any legal case or any kind of loan, and I have never been involved in such issues. I tried 4 times and every time they said no, you can not travel, your name is banned in our immigration portal. I visited all departments, CID, Court, and Immigration and all gave me clearance certificates however still the issue is there. Can someone please help me?

Can I increase the rent more than the RERA calculator shows?

Q: Hello, I`m a new landlord and the apartment has tenants. Their contract expires at the end of June. Can I increase the rent more than the RERA calculator shows? Because the market price for the rent now is more than 40%. Please help me with some advice. Thank you!

How to claim unpaid rent from a service agent to manage holiday home services for our apartment?

Q: We appointed a service agent to manage holiday home services for our apartment in Dubai. The agent completed all legal formalities with Dubai Economy and Tourism and commenced operations. However, the agent defaulted on the AED 50,000 payment of the app., and their offices are now closed. We got the mobile numbers of the agent’s officials. We believe we can also make the following compensation claims: 1. for our opportunity cost. 2. for the mental distress we endured. 3. For administrative costs incurred while chasing the agent, preparing claims, filing a complaint to DET, and related activities. We complained to DET, but it was closed as DET found the agent`s office was shut. DET advised us to pursue any suitable legal action. Accordingly, we have the questions on the following matters: 1. What are the appropriate steps to recover our legal entitlements? 2. What is the procedure for claiming the legal and associated costs from the defendant?

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A cheque has passed its due date by over a year. What options do I have?

Q: Hello, I have a cheque from someone, but it has passed its due date, and I did not take it to the bank. It has been more than a year now. What options do I have? Can I take it to the bank, and if it bounces, can I file an execution, or do I have to file a civil claim? If a civil claim, on what grounds can it be?

How can I remove a travel ban and fine in a criminal case to go to my home country?

Q: Hi. I am having an ongoing civil case in Sharjah. I need to travel to India because my father passed away yesterday. Therefore to do the last rites, I really have to travel to my home country. But the problem I am facing is that I have a pending fine to be paid in the criminal court which is 100,000 with which I have a travel ban. I have done nothing wrong to the company that I was working for but I still have gone through so much such as being put in jail for 8 days, not renewing my visa, and taking money from my account. I haven`t worked for the last 2 years and all my savings that I had in this country were all put to run the case. Could anyone let me know if there is any possibility to reduce the fine imposed on me? Thank you.

Can I file a payment dispute while my trade license is frozen but not closed?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can I file a payment dispute case against a company I supplied items to while my trade license is frozen but not closed?

How is the start date of work calculated in case of disagreement with the employer upong resignation?

Q: Hello, I started working remotely and signed an offer letter in April 2023. As I was transitioning from another job, my offer letter said that I would work part-time in April, and I started working full-time on May 10, 23`. I landed in Dubai and got my employment visa and contract when I landed in July, although my offer letter was signed in April and I`ve been working since then. Now, I`m resigning, but my employer is calculating my annual leave and gratuity pay from July 23` (to avoid paying my gratuity pay and deduct fewer annual leave days from my notice period). Should my start date be counted from April 2023, since I started working in April, or from July? They say that my April-July remote work qualified as freelance work, but we never ever discussed or put in writing any freelance contract. Thank you, P.

Is a new tenancy contract required if there are a few months left until the end of eviction notice?

Q: I was served an eviction notice in November 2023. The contract terminates in August 2024. Do I need to sign a new contract for 3 months or will it automatically renew until November 2024? Do I have to pay the agent again for this contract?