Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

How can I refund the deposit I paid to a car dealer if the receipt stated it is refundable?

Q: Dear all, I’m seeking legal advice regarding a refundable deposit of AED 1,000 paid to a car trading company around a year ago while considering the purchase of a used car. The receipt clearly states the deposit was refundable at the time of purchase, but I ultimately did not proceed with buying a car from them. Despite numerous follow-ups over the past year, I have not received any refund or official response. Today, a representative informed me that the deposit is non-refundable if no car is purchased, which contradicts what is written on the receipt. I would appreciate guidance on: - Whether I have a legal claim based on the receipt wording - What steps can I take to recover the amount through legal or consumer protection channels Thank you for your assistance. Best regards, M.

Which date do I consider when I start counting my probation period?

Q: Please, how do I get to start counting my probation period? I came to the UAE on the 17th of March and started working on the 21st of March, but I got my Emirates ID on the 14th of May. So which one would I use for counting?

An employee is resigning during probation. Can I reimburse the money I spent on his visa and employment expenses?

Q: I am running a company in Dubai, and one of my employees, who is an expat, is on his 6-month probation period and wants to resign now. Kindly let me know whether I can reimburse the money I spent on his visa and other formal onboarding to my company. Please let me know whether I can reimburse the amounts as per the applicable labour laws.

If someone files a criminal police report against me in Dubai, does it mean that it will immediately affect my PCC?

Q: If someone files a criminal police report against me in Dubai, does it mean that it will immediately affect my PCC? Will I be able to get a PCC from MOI or the Dubai police?

Can we claim compensation from the subcontractor due to a delay which affected us if it not in contract?

Q: We outsourced a project to a subcontractor, but the project was delayed beyond the completion date, which affected us. Is it possible to claim compensation if there were no clauses in the contract to claim for delays?

I have a rental dispute judgment against me to vacate, but the landlord is not fullfilling his obligations. What to do?

Q: Hi I have a real estate rental dispute. 1) My rental dues have been wrongly quoted, and the same has to be corrected with the court and then paid off. I had taken it up with the landlord, but the Landlord`s legal department and property manager are just not responding 2) I had been given a decision from the court to clear my items and hand over the custody of the flat, but the Landlord did not adhere to the court order, due to which the eviction happened. 3) The Landlord had paid some amount to the Court for the Items and now had reached out for payment to allow me to take the items. I have paid the amount to his account directly, but he has now appointed an auction house to auction the items. I have to take immediate action to stop the same and allow me to obtain the items or claim compensation.

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I am seeking professional assistance to establish a Dubai Mainland real estate company

Q: I am seeking professional assistance to establish a Dubai Mainland real estate development company, with the ownership structure held through either a UAE holding company or a RAK/ICC/JAFZA/DIFC/ADGM foundation (or similar structure) to ensure privacy, wealth protection, asset protection, and succession planning. I kindly request your firm to provide me with a proposal and quotation for: Advisory on optimal company structure (Mainland LLC + Holding Company or Foundation/Trust). Incorporation of the Dubai Mainland real estate development company, including licensing. Formation of a Holding Company or BVI/St Kitts/DIFC/ADGM Foundation to hold shares of the operational company and related assets. Assistance with legal documentation, compliance, and governance structure. Confidentiality and privacy measures in ownership records. Advisory on local laws, taxation, and succession planning relevant to the chosen structure.

Can I ask for an urgent decision to get a case judgment in order to release the ILOE payments?

Q: Hello I have a question. I have a case before the 3rd first instance court in Dubai already, and it`s in the preparatory stage. Can I ask for an urgent decision on the overdue payments? I have no source of income, and ILOE is asking for a judgment to release my funds. Is this achievable and doable, and what are the consequences, please?

My visa application was rejected twice after being in the UAE for five years on employment visa. What to do?

Q: My visa application was rejected twice. I exited the country on 22 June 2025, and I have been there for five years on a working visa, but I came under a visit visa last time. Again, I have applied for a visit visa, but it was rejected.

I have a travel ban for bank loan debt. Can I switch jobs from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if the travel ban exists?

Q: I have a travel ban for bank loan debt. Can I switch jobs from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if the travel ban exists?

I availed amnesty last year but my visit visa was rejected. Can I come to the UAE if I get an employment visa?

Q: I availed an amnesty last year, but my visit visa was rejected. I don`t know the reasons, but I`m planning to go back to the UAE after a year. Can I possibly come without knowing what the main reason is, even though I have an employment visa?

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I settled and paid my debt in Dubai Courts but the travel ban is still acitve after one week. How to lift it?

Q: Hi I have a question. Last week, I settled my debt under the Amicable Settlement Center in Dubai Courts. The plaintiff acknowledged the receipt of the total payment from me. However, it was also stipulated in the amicable settlement that the plaintiff needed to make sure the travel ban against me had to be cancelled immediately. However, now one week later, he still hasn’t lifted the travel ban and isn’t responding to my call/message. As I need to travel, I would like to know: 1. What can I do myself and how? 2. Is there any way I can make sure he honours his part of the settlement with urgency, as I need to travel next week? Please advise. Thank you

I left the UAE with an unpaid loan and the bank presented my security cheque. Is this legally accepted?

Q: Dear Sir, Warm greetings. In 2019, I obtained a loan of AED 260,000 from a bank and have since repaid approximately AED 96,000. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I lost my job and was unable to continue payments. The bank later bounced a security cheque for AED 260,000. I subsequently paid AED 10,000 as Qafala to the court. In 2022. A cheque execution case was filed against me by the bank through Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution, and a travel ban was imposed. I also filed an ASHKAL request in 2023, but have received no response from the court. Please note that the case is registered in Abu Dhabi. I kindly seek your guidance on the following: 1. Is it possible to close/remove or cancel the case on the basis that the cheque was a security cheque? 2. What is the process to request removal of the travel ban, as my job requires travel to other GCC countries?

The employers are delaying my experience letter intentionally. What can I do?

Q: Dear Respected Lawyers, I need advice. I have worked in a company for 6 years. After 4 years of leaving that company, I need a detailed experience letter mentioning my position at that time, with duties. As per the labor law, can I get it or not, or how? I have to submit this letter to the Ministry of Labor in the UAE to prove that my duties are matching with my visa. The employers are not responding to my emails or even calls; they are purposefully delaying it so that I cannot get my new job.

I sold my car to a car agency and they claim that the car is dead to deduct an amount. What can I do?

Q: I sold my vehicle to a known Buy and Sell agency in Abu Dhabi last 25 July 2025. They inspected the vehicle meticulously and quoted AED 12,000 Net. A vehicle sale-purchase agreement was presented, revealing that they will cut AED 600 for a convenience fee. So my Net pay will be 11,400. I agreed and signed all in good faith. I was instructed to wait until their PRO call and do the transfer of title at the vehicle registry. Since it was Friday, the transfer was not completed, and I have to wait till Monday. The next day, Saturday (17:30-18:00), they sent a message that the car is dead, sent it via recovery to Dubai for another inspection. They told me that the price needs to be renegotiated; they gave me a figure of AED 9000. They sent me a new agreement with the figure of 9000, but I did not sign it and just ignored it. Transfer finished, then they sent 11,400 to my account. Now they want the alleged excess back. Legally, do I owe them? Or I am being harassed as phone calls and emails are non-stop.

I have received a final judgment in my favor and the employer is offering to settle. What to do?

Q: Dear Team, I have received a final judgment in my favor for 5 months` salary, and I’ve already initiated execution through Al Adheed Center. Now, my employer is requesting to settle the matter outside the court and promises to pay the full amount within 45 days. However, due to past false promises and non-payment, I am hesitant to trust him. Could you please advise: 1. Is it safer to continue with the execution process? 2. If I choose to accept the settlement, how can I legally document the payment schedule to ensure enforcement if he defaults? 3. Can this settlement agreement be filed or endorsed through Al Adheed or the court to keep legal pressure? Looking forward to your guidance.

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