UAE Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

How to follow up with the procedures of a cancelled off-plan property

Q: Dear Lawyers, I purchased an off-plan property which has been cancelled and now in the first liquidation committee. My name was not in the investors` list since I bought from a buyer (secondary market). Anyway, I gave my details, copies of cheques and SPA to the committee to be included in the investors` list. I know that it might take more 2 years until settlement, My question is: I have to leave the country, what can I do to protect my rights and follow up while abroad other than checking case status online? If liquidation happens and I was outside the country and did not know on time, what could happen? I lost a big sum of my family savings and do not want to spend more on useless actions. I need your loyal and honest legal advice. Thank you.

Civil claim against a contractor for delay in house renovation

Q: Hello, My husband and I awarded one of Dubai`s contractors to do renovation in our apartment. We paid him 50% in advance according to the contract signed between us. We paid another 20% after some time in response to his request to have an additional amount to buy the materials. The renovation was supposed to be completed in one month, yet, 2 months and a half already passed and the contractor has not even bought the material he promised (tiles, sanitary-ware... etc.). He promises but not delivering, postponing payments in all possible ways. Suppliers of the materials confirmed that payments had not been made by the contractor. We have a clause of damage liquidating (contractor needs to pay 1000 AED/day), but he doesn`t seem to take it seriously. What is the best way to deal with this problem? If we take him to court, how much do we need to pay for the file opening? What damages he will experience - license termination? How quick can we have the money back? BR, J.

Liability of company director for a bounced cheque issued by the general manager

Q: My brother was the director of a company in Dubai with 16 per cent shareholding with 5 other partners. They had a general manager who had signing authority. The general manager signed cheques worth AED 7 million and disappeared. My brother lives in Kuwait. What is the impact of the bounced cheque on my brother?

How to clear the previous manager's name from a trade license to avoid future cases?

Q: I was a manager on a company trade license. My name was removed from the trade license in January 2017 and a new manager was named on the trade license. The land department RDC has issued a travel ban against my name. The ban should be in the name of the new manager. I have copies of the old and new trade licenses. How can I clear my name and ensure that this does not happen again with any future cases?

The legal way of recovering money loaned to a friend

Q: I gave one of my friends AED 50,000 back in Aug 2019 as a "Friendly Loan", and he promised to give it back within 45 days as he was facing some financial issues which I helped him based on our previous relationship. I have from him a written letter with his name and signature stating that I gave him the money and he will return it within 45 days. The payment was delayed and I kept asking him when he can repay the money. He was giving lots of excuses on the market which I gave him lots of break time to repay even with instalments to make it easier on him and can repay the loan but until now, we are in the same position. He jumps from a story to another until I could not believe him any more that he will return the money. I have many Whatsapp chats, his car registration and I would like to know how can I proceed to get my money from him and what will it cost me for that? All my letters and conversations are in Arabic.

Responding to a loan case by the bank after losing job due to COVID-19

Q: The bank filed the civil case due to nonpayment of the personal loan and they summited a memo with all details of the transaction paid and the unpaid and remaining total amounts. I lost my job due to Covid-19 in April 2020 and still seeking for a job, and now I have to submit the answer to the memo but I don`t have money also to pay. What should I write in the memo and how can I convince them and say once I will get a job and start again I will pay the bank? I have a termination letter and after that only I stopped payment. Please advise. (The case is filed in Sharjah)

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Financial rights of the wife in case of divorce without children

Q: I am an expatriate and got married here in Dubai to an Emirati man 4 yrs ago and we don’t have kids, but he wanted a divorce because he had another woman. What are my rights or can I get compensation after our divorce? My husband didn’t give me a copy of our marriage certificate but I saw there that I will get one thousand dirhams only if we get a divorce. What should I do about it can I ask for alimony? Hoping to receive a response from you I really need your advice. Thank you so much.

Test requirements for COVID-19 when entering Abu Dhabi

Q: I got a fine for not conducting a medical test upon request. But I did the result on the sixth day after entering Abu Dhabi. I raised a grievance against fines issued for violating COVID-19 precautionary measures. But I need to leave the country in the next 2 weeks. Please suggest your view on this!

How to lift a labour ban imposed for early exit from a limited contract

Q: Hi Madam, I have got a one-year labour ban from MOHRE due to the non-completion of the notice period in a limited contract. Now, I have received a new job offer from another company with a better placement and salary package. Please advise me about the possibilities of lifting my labour ban.

How to get my labour dues after the employer deposits them in court?

Q: The employer has deposited partial amount as per a court judgement. Will the court notify me the same by email? I have done all my case processing through Al Adheed Center.

How to retrieve passport used to bail a friend who left the country

Q: I have given my passport to release a friend last year in Sharjah municipality and he is not available inside the country. He moved to his home country. In that case, what do I have to do to release my passport? Now, my visa is going to expire after 2 months and I need to renew my visa. What can I do?

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Liability to pay immigration fines for working without a residence visa

Q: Dear Madam, I was on visit visa which has expired on 17th Nov 2020, but I am working in a company which has offered a job during my valid tourist visa. At this time, they have provided me with an entry permit on a company name for two months and they kept saying while I am asking about my visa, it is being processed and just do your work. But now, I came to know that I have an AED 3600 fine from immigration due to overstaying and the company refused to pay anything or clear my fine as well. Kindly help and advise.

Cancellation of visa to take another offer while a labour case is running

Q: My employer wants me to sign a cancellation form without paying any pending salary and dues. The total outstanding amount is 33000 AED. I refused to sign the cancellation papers and filed a labour case against him. I have a job offer from another company. What is the procedure for me to join another company? My first hearing is due on 29th December; what happens in the first hearing? Should I wait until 29th December or should I contact the Ministry again for the cancellation? I strongly believe my employer will not attend the hearing. I need to cancel my visa and start working again for the new company. Please advise.

إثبات عدم رؤية الأب لأبنائه الصغار أو سؤاله عنهم لسنوات

س: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، السادة الأساتذة سؤالي هو: كيف يمكن الإثبات قانونًا أمام المحكمة أن الأب لم يرَ أبنائه الصغار ولم يسأل عنهم قط (بمحض إرادته) منذ حوالي 3 سنوات. الإثبات مطلوب لتفويت الفرصة على الأب إذا ادّعى مستقبلاً أن أمهم حرمته من رؤية أبنائه. الأم مطلقة منذ حوالي سنة.

Legality of claiming visa expenses from employee for early resignation

Q: Hi This is R. here HRBP in the UAE. Is it legal to recover the visa expenses from an employee who resigns before the completion of a contract of two years? Please revert. R.

How to pay the court judgment fees online

Q: Hello. How can I pay Abu Dhabi court judgement fee from Dubai? I received an online link but it is not working.

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