Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

I filed a case for my unpaid salary and gratuity and a final decision has been released. How to enforce it?

Q: Good day! I just want to seek advice regarding my unpaid salary and gratuity. Actually, I already filed a case in MOHRE, and they released a final decision. However, until now, my previous company has refused to give me my last salary and gratuity, and they are not even replying to my messages and emails. What should I do? Thank you.

How can I lift the travel ban if I reached a settlement with the bank?

Q: This is regarding my upcoming online appointment with the honorable judge. It will be my second appointment, as the first did not take place due to a link error. The matter concerns lifting my travel ban. After making two years of consistent EMI payments, I approached the bank. The bank confirmed by email that they would support my request, but asked me to apply through the court. After more than a month of follow-up, the bank is now demanding a guarantor, which is not part of the settlement agreement. Under Provision Four, the travel ban could be lifted if I: 1. Maintained six consecutive months of regular account credits. 2. Paid six consecutive EMIs without delay. I have consistently paid for two years of payments. Despite the judge notifying the bank, no response has been received for over a month. I reapplied online, and another judge has now been assigned. Kindly advise what questions I should expect in the hearing from the honorable judge and what documents to prepare. Kindly assist.

Will I be arrested if I come to the UAE and I have an outstanding credit liability in Saudi Arabia?

Q: Dear Team, I seek your assistance regarding a financial matter. I have an outstanding credit liability in Saudi Arabia amounting to approximately 80,000 SAR. I left the KSA in early 2023, and I now plan to travel to the UAE for a week. Could you please advise whether a travel ban in Saudi Arabia extends to other GCC countries, and if there is any potential risk of arrest or imprisonment upon entering the UAE under these circumstances?

What are the requirements with the personal status court if a custody agreement is proposed?

Q: Please be informed that the first instance court provided the sole custody of the child to the father. Currently, there is an ongoing Personal Status and inheritance appeal, and the case is reserved for judgment, and only a few days are left. We are non-Muslim expats. However, the mother is proposing mutual agreements. 1. Sole custody provided to the mother with limited visitation rights to the father upon mutual agreement. 2. Joint custody - where in mother will sponsor the visa and shared expenses. Such an agreement is possible at this stage through a digital identity channel. Will it be allowed to be submitted to the court and acknowledged in front of the Judge? Is it recommended, considering the best interest of the child? What are the rights of the father in case of an agreement, if a sole custody or a joint custody agreement is made between both parties? Kindly advise.

I want to file for personal insolvency in Dubai. I have bounced checks and credit cards, but no assets

Q: I want to file for personal insolvency in Dubai. I have bounced checks and credit cards, but no assets.

I am the son of an Emirati father and he is not willing to give me the Emirati citizenship. What to do?

Q: Hi Sir I am the son of an Emirati father, and my mother is from India. My parents are separated. My father and I have contact, but he is not ready to give me the Emirati citizenship. Can you please suggest to me how to get the Emirati citizenship?

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Can I file for asset freeze and a civil claim within a cheating criminal case I filed against a company?

Q: Hello, I have filed a cheating case in the Dubai Misdemeanor Court (initial complaint at Raffa Police Station). Hearings have not yet started. I now have credible information that the accused plans to dispose of his business to avoid repayment. I want to file, within the same criminal case: - A petition to freeze the transfer/sale of the business. - A petition for civil recoverability through the criminal proceedings. Please advise on the process and whether the court accepts such requests. Thank you.

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?

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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.

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.

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