Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Can a Muslim revert woman in the UAE obtain a Sharia divorce and remarry?

Q: Dear Legal Advisor, Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, I recently reverted to Islam, and my marriage was solemnized in a civil court in the Philippines. There is no divorce law in the Philippines, and even if there were, it would take a significant amount of time and money. Could you please advise if I can file for divorce in the UAE through the Family Court or Sharia Court? What are the chances that my divorce will be granted? If the divorce is approved, am I permitted to remarry in the Sharia Court? Thank you for your kind attention to this matter!

I bought a villa in Dubai and the tenant did not pay all his bills and rent before leaving. Hot to claim that?

Q: I seek advice on a Dubai property case. I bought a villa in Sept. 2024, which had a tenant with an expired lease in Aug. The sales contract mentioned that the house was tenanted and mentioned August as the lease expiry. I proceeded to RDC for the case of the tenant not paying the rent. The tenant lost the case. He paid rent and got a retrospective letter signed by the seller saying he vacated Sept 22, 2024, after filing for an appeal. The RDC ruled in his favor and said the rent owed was only till Sept 22, despite DEWA running till Oct 1. I want to know if 1. I can appeal to the Cassation 2. Options for action against the seller for selling the villa without disclosing the information about the tenant`s eviction 3. The tenant had stayed in the villa beyond Sept 22, as he had maintained his DEWA and domestic helpers confirmed his vacancy to me 4. What is the legal recourse? 5. How much would it cost, including fees to open the case and lawyer fees? 6. How much compensation can be expected?

Can I evict a tenant and refuse renewal if rent has not been paid in full?

Q: Hello, I am a landlord. The tenant failed to pay the rent in one full payment as per the contract. So far, 3 months remain until the expiry date of the contract, and the payment is still pending. Do I have the right to evict the tenant from the apartment and refuse to renew the tenancy contract?

Are employers required to pay redundancy compensation for terminations due to restructuring?

Q: Hello, A company with entities and employees in the UAE (specifically in Dubai Mainland and JAFZA) terminates employees due to company restructuring initiated for business convenience, and not due to insolvency, financial distress, or bankruptcy. I understand that, under UAE labour law, the following payments are typically due: - End-of-service gratuity (in accordance with UAE Labour Law and/or JAFZA regulations); - Payment for any accrued but unused leave; - Compensation for the notice period, if waived; and - Any outstanding contractual entitlements or dues. The main question is as follows: In the context of restructuring-based terminations, is there any legal obligation, or prevailing legal or customary practice, to pay a separate “redundancy payment” or severance beyond the items listed above? I would appreciate it if you could clarify this with reference to applicable UAE Labour Law, Executive Regulations, Ministerial Resolutions, and JAFZA-specific employment regulations, where relevant.

I posted a review for a piercing shop, and they threatened me to file a defamation case against me. What to do?

Q: I recently posted a review for a piercing shop, and they threatened to file a defamation case against me. I didn`t get it first. Their customer service was rude, and when I posted a review about it, they said they would file a complaint. I basically said I gave them one star, and I said whenever I have gone to their Instagram page to ask questions, they have been rude to me. Probably they don`t want to answer or they are irritated by my questions for improving their customer service, especially for their clients who paid you for piercings! This is my review. I want to ask, is this illegal and considered defamation? Don`t I have a right to post reviews?

I have Form F for apartment which caught fire and the broker refused to return the deposit. What to do?

Q: Hello I have Form F for an apartment in [----], which caught a huge fire recently. There is no force majeure clause in the contract, but according to the law in the UAE, it shall be terminated without penalty. The seller doesn’t want to cancel the contract F, and the broker of seller is not refunding the deposit.

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Can U.S. debts lead to a UAE visa denial?

Q: Hello, I live in the United States, and I have to travel to the UAE for work. My visa was revoked, and I was told it was due to outstanding debts here in the US. Is it true that my debts in the US can cause my visa to be denied?

Can my employer refuse to give me even one day off as a nanny in the UAE?

Q: Hello, I am a nanny of 1-and-a-half-year-old twins. I asked my employer to have a day off, even once a month, but she didn’t allow me! I messaged her on WhatsApp, but she didn’t reply. Last month, I talked to her husband to ask for a day off again. He told me that he would arrange it. Then I messaged him yesterday to have a day off on Monday, July 7, 2025, but he never saw my message. What should I do?

How can I complain about a salon with no license?

Q: Hi, How can I complain about a salon with no license? Everything in the salon is not clean, not sterilized, and they also keep one staff member without an ID. I mean, she is overstaying, but she is still working.

Are there any risks of losing my labor dues if I sign the cancellation form before receiving them?

Q: Good afternoon, I have noticed the following clause in the cancellation form and would like to ask whether it could potentially affect the complaint file in the future: I certify that I have received all my dues up to date. Employee Signature

How can I lift the arrest warrant in an execution case if I have a criminal case hearing about the same cheque?

Q: How can I lift the arrest warrant in an execution case if I have a criminal case hearing about the same cheque, which is in execution?

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Facing mental and financial harassment from my husband. What can I do?

Q: Hello, My husband is mentally harassing me for my salary. He wants my full salary and savings. He knows I am an epilepsy patient, so proper sleep is very important for me. Still, he fights with me all night. He just wants my salary. Last year, I left him and went back to India, but after a few months, he came to me and assured me he wouldn`t misbehave with me. But now he has again started fighting with me all the time for my salary. According to him, my salary is his asset because after marriage, I came to Dubai. Please help me and suggest.

Will my current pregnancy affect my insurance coverage or status since I am not officially married yet?

Q: Good day! I am currently covered under the [-------] plan with [-----]. My marital status is still listed as single, but I am getting married on August 5. Due to unexpected travel issues, our original wedding date in June had to be rescheduled. I recently became pregnant and have already paid for my antenatal check-up package for the first trimester. After my wedding, I plan to submit my marriage certificate to update my status with the insurer. I would like to kindly ask for advice: will my current pregnancy affect my insurance coverage or status since I am not officially married yet? Could there be any risk of my insurance being canceled or any legal implications because of this timing? I appreciate your guidance and any clarification you can provide. Thank you very much for your support.

Can I file a police case if a contractor takes payment and disappears?

Q: Hello, I hired someone to fix the water leaking problem at my office. I have paid half the amount we agreed on during a face-to-face meeting. Now the person is not answering my calls or replying on WhatsApp. Can I file a police case against him? Please advise!

When can I expect the court of execution to pay my labor dues after winning the case for training cost?

Q: I recently won my case at MOHRE regarding the AED 6,000 training cost, which the company was not entitled to. I have now filed an execution request at Al Adheed on July 4, 2025, to claim my pending salary and visa cancellation, which were not provided within the legal 14-day period. As I do not have an Emirates ID yet, the report was submitted using my passport. I was informed I would receive a court fee payment link if the process pushes through. May I kindly ask: Will the execution proceed using my passport? How long does this process usually take? What should I expect next? Thank you for your assistance.

Can we file a criminal case and civil case if our customer paid in cheques and cheated us?

Q: I want to take advice from a law firm for debt collection. A customer of ours has misguided us and cheated us by giving us cheques and now not paying. I would like to know if a criminal case can be filed apart from a civil case.

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