Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

How to respond to a legal notice from the ex-wife of my brother claiming money from us?

Q: I am from outside the UAE and would like to ask some questions about a possible adversarial proceeding against a legal consultant and a private party in the UAE. A legal counsel from Dubai sent us a legal notice for payment in the amount of 944,586 USD and a 3-day limit of payment for alleged moral damages to her client. They notified me and another party, my brother who’s in the US. The client of this counsel is my brother’s ex-partner. I would like to know the following points based on the tenor of legal notice: 1. Can legal counsels who are not involved in civil litigation give such notices? 2. Are legal counsels permitted to estimate the amount of moral damages without a valid court order? 3. What are the possible sanctions on malicious imputation of a crime and baseless accusation? I have contacted a lawyer in the US but I am yet to be familiarized with UAE law so thank you so much!

How to claim compensation if the landlord seeks eviction after purchasing a business?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I bought a business in Dubai with a rent contract for 5 years, with 1 year remaining. The previous owner failed to inform the landlord during the transfer from DED. The landlord was informed by the previous owner after 3 months. Upon being informed, the landlord claimed it was a sublease. I explained that the contract was between him and the company, not the individual. He insisted it was a sublease, but I disagreed. The next day, he sent an eviction notice, citing an intention to sell. This occurred shortly after being informed by the previous owner. I believe he plans to increase rent and sell the shop at a higher price, using the inflated rental income to justify a higher ROI. How can I remain on the premises, or if he rents it out again, what compensation can I pursue? What documents should I collect to support a compensation claim later on?

Can I travel to Qatar if a collection agency told me I have a travel ban for an unpaid loan?

Q: Salam, I received an email from a company in the UAE - which is a collection agency - informing me that I had a travel ban and arrest warrant issued in the UAE for an unpaid loan a week ago. I currently live in the US. I have sent them many emails asking them how can I pay or make installments to settle this amount of 332,430 dirhams. I am currently working with them and trying to resolve the issue. My question is I would like to know if I travel for 5 days to Doha, Qatar in May, will I be detained or I will be ok? I don’t believe so I just want to be sure because I will be with my family. Thank you again.

Do I need to pay my company any compensation if I resign during probation?

Q: I worked for a company and due to the lack of work-life balance affecting my mental and physical health, I submitted my resignation according to the contract I signed. The contract stipulated a two-month notice period during my probation as I joined this company on 05 Dec 2023. I submitted my resignation on March 20 stating my last working day as May 20 But the company released me on April 16. However, for the month of March, I did not receive my salary. Now the company is asking me to sign the visa cancellation letter In this letter there is a clause stating "I certify that I have received all my dues up to date - Employee signature" but I have not received my salary. I also explicitly asked them whether they would deduct any amount for the visas as some people have told me that some companies do such things even when nothing is mentioned in the contract. They replied to that email stating they would provide dues but did not mention any specific date. Please advise me on how to proceed.

Credit card loans with different banks. Can I settle them all at once?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have credit card loans with different banks, around four in total. Is there any way to negotiate and settle all of them together? Is there a special court authority or office, like an arbitration committee, for this? I don`t want to settle them one by one; I need to settle all of them together.

Paid 40% for off-plan property, construction not started. Can we stop future payments?

Q: Hi, We bought an off-plan property from a developer in March 2023. We signed the SPA, but the developer hasn`t signed it yet; telling us it takes time. We have already paid 40%, but the construction has not started yet, according to the information in their application. Can we request to stop paying any future installments?

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How to achieve mutual consent divorce affordably?

Q: Hi, My husband and I agreed to a divorce. We want to proceed as soon as possible. He is a local from the UAE, and I am French. We got married in Dubai Courts. What is the best way to do it without paying a huge amount for it? Many thanks!

Can a landlord use the same evaluation certificate to increase the rent twice?

Q: Hello all, I`m renting a villa in the Springs area. Last year, the landlord made an evaluation certificate in March 2023 and 90 days before renewal, the property management company informed me that based on the evaluation certificate, the landlord would increase the price by 20%, I accepted it. Current contract from July 2023 till July 2024, rent value 160,000. In March 2024, I received an email from the landlord (92 days before renewal) that he wanted to increase rent again by 20% and attached the same certificate from March 2023 which has been used for the 2023 contract renewal. The certificate states that validity is 1 year. So when they sent an email with a notification, the certificate was still officially valid. Can the landlord use the evaluation certificate twice to increase property rent in 2023 and then in 2024? Why evaluation certificate is valid for 1 year if the market changes every month? How can I check that the certificate is not "fake"? Can the landlord use a certificate issued in March 2023 to increase the rent for the property, considering that the contract renewal date is in July 2024?

I bought a property and served the tenant an eviction notice. Can I renew his contract only until notice expiry?

Q: Hi, I bought a property in Dubai in November last year and post transfer, I gave the tenant a 1-year notice to vacate the property as I wanted to occupy it. The current Ejari expires in May. I gave the tenant the option to renew until the end of the notice period i.e. up to next December, however, the tenant wants to renew for 1 more year. I need to move in in December, what can I do in this situation? Thanks

I have deportation and a fine. Can I appeal to remove both or one of them?

Q: If I have deportation and a fine. If a lawyer appeals can he remove the deportation and fine or just one?

Dubai police clearance delays despite cleared misdemeanor. Next steps?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I had a misdemeanor case, paid the fine, and everything was cleared. According to the ruling, I could apply for police clearance after one year upon obtaining a rehabilitation certificate. It has now been over a year, and I have submitted a name-clearing request in Dubai six times without any response. Can someone please guide me?

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Landlord's breach regarding water supply and finding buyers for farm's yield. What to do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I rented a farm in Umm Al Quwain, and the landlord agreed to provide free water, supplying 50m³/day during winter and up to 120m³ for the rest of the year. He also agreed to assist in finding buyers for the yield and fresh alfalfa for camels and cattle. However, he doesn`t want to supply the water and about helping find buyers, he says "This is not my job." Of course, guarantee checks are given and now I refuse to pay since he doesn`t fulfill his obligations. I tried to communicate but the sole reply I get now is: "I don`t care about the agreement and I am very powerful." Of course, the check is handed over to the bank and since I emptied the account, it will bounce. I am faced with two conflicting replies that contradict my business etiquette. What steps should I take next?

Employer refuses resignation, demands visa expenses. How to leave?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I`ve been working for a pharmacy in Sharjah for a year and a half. I want to leave to pursue higher education in my home country, but the owner won`t accept my resignation. He told me that I must pay 50% of the entire visa expenses or continue working until my contract expires. He is also holding onto my passport.

Company license expired, my visa too. Who should pay my ID fines?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My company`s license expired, causing my visa to expire as well. After five months, the company renewed its license, but they are not paying my ID fines. I have my labor card, which is valid for another year. So, what can I do? Who will need to pay fines even if I cancel my visa?

If there is a case against me for credit card non-payment, will it extend to my wife?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, If there is a case against me for credit card non-payment, will it extend to my wife?

Lost a rental case against a developer. Can I travel if the judgment is not executed?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, We were sued by a developer for rent. Before the case went to court, we attempted to negotiate with the developer, explaining our inability to pay and proposing either closing the shop or basing the rent on a percentage of sales rather than a fixed amount. The situation worsened due to COVID-19 affecting sales. Despite not utilizing the full time in the shop, we lost the case and were ordered to pay the full contract amount. One of the main issues is the travel restriction imposed, despite being an LLC company. My question and the advice I seek are, firstly, to regain travel privileges and, secondly, to understand the options for resolving this case, as they have not yet executed the judgment.