Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

Can a company sue me for an honest Google review about their services?

Q: Dear Lawyers, A cleaning company is threatening to sue me if I don’t take down my Google review. All I did was share my experience without using any curse words, insults, or specific names. In my review, I wrote, "I saw the cleaner use the mop to clean the toilet; I’m not sure if it was the same one used on the floor. I was surprised and disgusted—that’s why I stopped using their services." The company claims it’s baseless, clearly defamatory, and intended to harm their excellent corporate reputation. They’re now intimidating me to take it down.

I have a deportation from Dubai for overstaying. Can I return to the UAE if the system shows an escape report?

Q: I had a deportation from Dubai for overstaying, but they didn`t take my fingerprints or eye scan. The officer at the airport said I can return after 6 months. Is this possible? Recently, I checked on the ICP smart services reports option and there is an still escape report from immigration after a year.

Can I submit an affidavit by my husband to replace me in liability for cheque bounce in rental cases?

Q: I am reaching out for legal assistance regarding two rental cases filed in my name due to cheque bounce issues. My name was used to set up a company by my husband, who holds a Power of Attorney (POA) for the business. Unfortunately, he signed cheques in my name that were issued for rental payments, leading to these cases. My husband is prepared to provide an affidavit to the court, taking full responsibility for the legal matters associated with these cheques and affirming my lack of involvement in the company’s financial decisions. Could you please guide me on the following? 1. The process to prepare and submit the affidavit in court to release me from liability in these cases. 2. Any required documentation or steps to support the affidavit. 3. The estimated costs for drafting, notarizing, and filing the affidavit, as well as any additional court fees. Thank you for your guidance on this matter. I look forward to your advice on moving forward.

How to know if there is a case or travel ban if someone left the UAE with unpaid Du bills?

Q: Hello Lawyers, Back in 2015, my sister was living with my mom in Dubai. She bought an iPhone on a plan with Du during that time. After a few months and due to circumstances, she had to go back to our country. She took the phone but left the sim here and to my and my mom`s knowledge, she didn`t finish paying the remaining balance. My question is if she wants to come back here to Dubai, what kind of penalty she will face? Is she going to have a travel ban? Or will immigration stop her when entering the country? I tried searching in Dubai Police but unfortunately, she doesn`t have the EID now. Thank you in Advance.

How to recover the amount to be paid by the employer after getting the labor judgment?

Q: Hi, I got the final decision from the labor court that my employer has to pay me 23000 dirhams. I went to the Al Adheed Center, and they took 220 dirhams fees and papers from me which were issued by the court, and told me to come back after a week to check my status. I`m confused about the procedure. What is happening now in Al Adheed Center? What`s the next step they will take?

Are email and WhatsApp voice messages sufficient proof to file a defamation case?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My former partner in the company has been saying bad things about me and my family, especially after his cheque payment bounced. He directly threatened, via his company email, to defame me among my relatives. He also sent a WhatsApp voice message (in Persian) to my brother-in-law, filled with offensive language and defamation threats against me and my family. 1) Are the email and WhatsApp voice messages sufficient proof to file a defamation case? 2) Can I send him a legal notice in advance and request an apology letter within 7 days? 3) Do I have the right to ask for a signed apology letter addressed to me and my family? 4) Can I share the apology letter with the people he defamed me to?

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Can a newly added no sharing clause impact a 5-year living arrangement with friends?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I am a tenant in Dubai and rented an apartment five years ago. It was understood that I would stay in the apartment with my two friends, but this was not documented anywhere. Today, the landlord is unhappy with the rent amount, as rents have risen higher than he can legally increase it. In my latest contract from this year, a line was added in the additional comments stating that sharing is not allowed. I didn’t notice this and signed it, although this clause was not in previous contracts. My question is: can they use this clause to cause any issues for me?

How long will it take to get a NOC from the court for the new visa?

Q: Dear Lawyers, How long will it take to get the NOC from the court for the new visa? How much do I need to pay to the court to obtain the NOC? I have civil and criminal bank cases, and I am availing of Amnesty.

How can I enforce court-ordered custody when my ex-wife does not comply?

Q: Hello, My ex-wife is not complying with court orders to hand over our child and continues to receive police reports and fines from the court, which do not seem to concern her. How can I get my daughter back in my care? Can’t the court instruct the police to transfer my child to me? How many reports are needed before she is arrested for non-compliance?

How long does it take for an insurance company to respond to and process an accident claim?

Q: Hello, Once I file an accident claim, what is the time frame by which the insurance company should respond with the claim details? How many days can the insurance company take to complete the claim process? Is there a specific time period for this?

The landlord served me an eviction notice for sale. Can I stay if I prove his intention is to increase rent?

Q: I have been renting an apartment in Dubai for 5 years. The landlord was not happy last 3 years as they were not able to raise rent more than the RERA calculator. In 2023, they sent me an email, non-notarized, asking me to evict the property for the reason of personal use. I refused this as it did not go through court and the contract was renewed for another year. This time, in 2024, they sent a court eviction notice with a reason for sale. It was sent 12 months before the end of the contract. In the period since the notice was sent, they did not try to sell the property or list it anywhere for sale. My question is, can I dispute the notice based on the reason they do not show any intent to sell, and that I suspect they only want me out so they can re-rent it higher?

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Can I get the rent cheques back if I decided to cancel the tenancy shortly after signing the agreement?

Q: The landlord has entered and signed a 1-year tenancy agreement with a tenant on 10.10 with a move-in date 4 weeks later, and on 07.11. collected 4 cheques (3 + 1 security deposit). 1 day before moving in the tenant decided to abruptly cancel and demanded for the cheques not to be deposited. Ejari has not yet been registered as it was planned to be done after the key handover. Is the landlord entitled to deposit the cheques (security cheque + 1 cheque) and demand 2 months` rent as a penalty? The tenancy contract has no explicit early termination clause. What are the rights of the landlord in this case to protect and address the financial inconvenience? Thank you.

Can I settle a bounced cheque case with criminal intent to avoid criminal proceedings?

Q: Hello, I will have a potential criminal and cheque execution case due to a bounced cheque with criminal intent. My question is if I settle the execution case by paying the total amount, is there any possibility of avoiding criminal proceedings or getting the case closed?

Can my free zone employer legally extend my 60-day notice period to 90 days despite my contract?

Q: Dear Sir, I am working for a free zone company with a 60-day notice period in my contract. I am currently serving my notice period, but my employer claims that all employees have a 90-day notice period and is asking me to serve 90 days as well. Is this legally correct, considering that I am not under a labor contract, as my company operates within a free zone?

Can a travel ban or arrest be lifted if the defendant agrees to pay the fine?

Q: Hello all, Can a travel ban or arrest warrant be waived when the defendant challenges the court case decision, if they agree to pay the fine in installments or in full? Thanks!

Can an intimation memo claim ILOE benefits if a company terminates contracts due to financial issues?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have just completed one year with a private company in Abu Dhabi. I am on a two-year contract, but the company is not doing well and has informed employees that our employment will be terminated due to its financial situation. What is the difference between intimation and termination of a contract under UAE law? Can an intimation memo be filed to receive the ILOE insurance benefit? Thank you!