Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

How can I request the free zone authority to waive my license renewal fines after they agreed on it?

Q: Hello, "Late renewal charges" for my freezone license are adding up. Last year, the free zone refused to waive the late renewal charges, but then agreed to do it. Still, it had to be approved by the free zone director and then by the Dafza general director, which took about a month. It was a month during which I had an office this time. Still, no license to operate, and for 2025, the accountant is late because he promised to deliver the audit report in early January, and then was away on pilgrimage. I found out this week, I also have a medical certificate because I am not in condition to work and can renew it by any doctor in the UAE right now, so I have to pay a 6-month fine, which is a total of AED 6000. The free zone this time does not want to waive off anything and blames me for the situation. Is there a way that I can pay and dispute the late renewal fines later? Or paying means I accept and can`t dispute? It is clear that I was wronged initially, even for the lease, which they partially admitted to last year.

How can I pay the rent after selling the property if neither the old nor the new owner is clarifying this?

Q: My current landlord has sold the building I live in, and my rent cheque was due to be presented on April 1st. I contacted the new landlord and the current landlord about my rent cheque. My current landlord advised that they had withdrawn the cheque and presented it to the new landlord. However, the new landlord has ignored three requests for clarity on how to pay my rent, which is now overdue. What are my options here? I am attempting to pay the rent, but they are unresponsive.

Can a case number be changed, or is this just a delay tactic?

Q: Good day, lawyers! I do not understand what is going on. I was at the prosecution office last week and was informed that the other party is not in the country. Today, I was given another reason, saying they need the police to change the case number and revert to them. Is it possible to change the case number, or is this just an excuse to buy more time?

I have a case in Sharjah for a rental dispute. How do I find the case number?

Q: Hello, I have a case in Sharjah for a rental dispute. How do I find the case number?

Can a travel agent be arrested for failing to refund a client's visa cost?

Q: Hello, I was working as a travel agent. One of my clients applied for a visa with me, and it`s our third time trying to get her visa in 2 years. The first two times when the visa didn’t get approved, I paid her back the same time, and I’m the one who gave her the visit visa also. But for the third time, I couldn’t get the visa either. In the meantime, I lost my job, so I told her last month that I need time to give the money back - like in the first week of April, between the 5th to 10th. But she didn’t accept and made a case. So what will happen next? Will the police arrest me? When I check the case status, it’s showing "awaiting decision," and the amount is 5000. So what will happen next?

How can I enter the UAE again if I left on an outpass due to the employer fleeing the country?

Q: Dear lawyer I seek help on whether I can return to the UAE or not. I exited the UAE on an outpass due to overstaying. I have been patient for more than 7 months. I was advised that I am able to return to the UAE. The process was successful, and I traveled to the UAE, but I was denied entry to the UAE at immigration. Why? I was only overstaying, I hadn`t been a criminal, just my boss refused to do a visa for me. After overstaying, my employers traveled to their country. I had no idea how to resolve the issue other than to get an outpass and go back home.

Hire a lawyer online

Save time and money. Buy fixed-fee legal services or submit your request and get multiple competitive offers from qualified lawyers.

Buy services Get quotes

Can an employee on sick leave legally apply for overtime work?

Q: Hello Lawyers, Eid Mubarak! Could you please advise? Can an employee on sick leave also apply for overtime at the same time? Is there any law related to this? Thank you!

What determines my last working day; labour card or EID expiry?

Q: Hello, I will not renew my contract with my current company. My labour card will expire on 25-Nov, and my EID on 17-Dec. When will my last day be? Is it based on the labour card or EID?

I was evicted after a rental dispute case and handed the keys over. How to make the landlord update the system?

Q: I had a rental dispute case with my previous landlord. I’ve been evicted now, and she took the keys right there in the presence of the police she came with. Upon going to Takhlees in Deira to open an account for installment payment, she hasn’t put on the website that the keys are handed over. I’m waiting for this because money keeps piling up since I last vacated the premises. I have been placed on a travel ban, which is also affecting my visa status. I need to regulate. Any advice, please? What to do?

Is an unsigned contract with a forged signature still binding?

Q: Hello, My contract is not signed by me; it is signed by someone else, and the signature does not match mine. My company does this. Is it still valid? I plan to resign, and my contract mentions a two-month prior notice. Am I required to give a two-month notice period if I did not agree to it in the contract? Is it possible to give a one-month notice period instead of two months?

I want to open a company to do crypto P2P trading on Binance. How to guarantee the bank account not to be closed?

Q: I want to do crypto P2P trading on Binance. But I want to do it safely, so I want to open a company and do it. My monthly turnover will be around 4 million AED. I heard a lot that banks are freezing or closing business bank accounts because of this kind of activity. I want to know whether that is true or not.

Looking for something else?

Ask for advice from a lawyer

It’s free and anonymous

No registration needed

Ask a lawyer

I am resigning from my work. Am I responsible for visa costs? Am I eligible for EOSB if I served 1 year and 2 months?

Q: I would like to seek legal clarification regarding a clause in my employment contract. The contract states: “In the event the employee terminates the contract prematurely, applicable visa charges will be incurred by the employer.” I have completed 1 year and 2 months of my 2-year contract, but I am considering resigning. My employer has informed me that I may have to reimburse the visa costs due to this clause. Could you please confirm: 1. Is it legal under UAE labor law for the employer to require me to pay for visa costs upon resignation? 2. Am I entitled to any end-of-service benefits (gratuity) after completing 1 year and 2 months? 3. Are there any penalties or labor bans that may apply if I resign before completing 2 years? I would appreciate your guidance on this matter. Please let me know if a consultation is needed.

What is the meaning of injunctions by a third party in an RDC case?

Q: Hi, What is the meaning of injunctions by a third party in an RDC case?

How can my friend claim his laptop and belongings taken during deportation from the airport?

Q: Hello, At Sharjah Airport, the security personnel were deporting my friend due to a pending case and took his laptop and other belongings, returning only his phone and passport during deportation. Since he has been deported to his country, what should he do next to claim his laptop and other belongings?

Can a delivery rider injured on duty get financial assistance for emergency hospital bills?

Q: Hello sir, Today, my friend fell off his bike and fractured his left leg while on duty as a bike delivery boy. He is currently admitted to NMC Royal Hospital in DIP1, and the hospital bill for first aid is 8345 dirhams. We cannot afford such a large amount. Please help us, lawyers. Insurance coverage is not applicable for emergencies.

Can an employer revoke a previously granted employee benefit?

Q: Hi, I would like to inquire whether an employer has the right to revoke a benefit that was previously granted to an employee. For instance, if a company provided family status to some employees and gave family tickets in a given year, can they revoke it the following year?