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Latest legal questions

50 questions

Labour / Employment

Does ADGM employment law calculate end-of-service gratuity differently from UAE mainland rules?

I have been working for a financial services firm registered in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) free zone for the past four years on a fixed-term contract that has been renewed twice. My contract is now ending and my employer is calculating my end-of-service gratuity using what they call 'ADGM Employment Regulations' rather than the federal UAE Labour Law. The numbers they have given me are noticeably lower than what I calculated using the standard mainland formula. I am a British national on a work visa tied to this employer. I want to understand whether ADGM has its own distinct gratuity framework, whether my employer's calculation method is legally correct, and what dispute mechanism is available to me if I disagree with the final settlement figure.

May 19, 2026·No answers yet
Labour / Employment

My RAKEZ employer has not paid my salary for three months — what are my options?

I am a software developer working in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) under a standard employment contract. My employer, a small tech startup, has not paid my salary for three consecutive months, citing 'cash-flow problems.' I have sent written reminders via email and WhatsApp, but I keep getting excuses. I am a single expat on a RAKEZ-sponsored work visa, so I am worried about what happens to my residency if I resign or get terminated while chasing unpaid wages. Can I file a complaint directly with RAKEZ, or must I go through the Ministry of Human Resources? Will my residency status be at risk if I escalate this? What is the fastest way to recover my wages without losing my legal status in the UAE?

May 18, 2026·No answers yet
Immigration

Family sponsorship of parents — what is the income threshold and which proof works?

May 17, 2026·1 answers
Bilal MahmoodVerified Lawyer
33

Parent sponsorship requires minimum monthly salary of AED 20k OR AED 19k plus 2-bed housing accommodation, evidence that no one else can sponsor them in their home country, and full medical insurance covering both parents. Your total package qualifies on the housing route. Documents: salary certificate, tenancy contract showing minimum 2-bed unit, attested birth certificates, parents' medical insurance policies, and a no-objection from any siblings residing elsewhere. Process at ICP Smart Services portal, decision in 7-14 days.

Dispute Resolution / Arbitration

Is the arbitration clause in my contract enforceable if it just says 'Dubai arbitration'?

May 15, 2026·2 answers
Yousef HaddadVerified Lawyer
9

Add: if your counterparty is based in the DIFC, the DIFC Courts would likely accept jurisdiction for a 'Dubai' clause given DIFC's mature curial regime. Confirm where enforcement would ultimately happen before fighting the seat question.

Family Law

How do I register a foreign marriage certificate so it is recognized in the UAE?

My husband and I married in Cyprus in 2019. We never registered it in the UAE. Now we need it recognized for residency and for our daughter's birth certificate. What is the process?

May 14, 2026·No answers yet
Banking / Finance

Mortgage refinance — can my UAE bank prevent me from moving to a competitor at lower rate?

May 14, 2026·1 answers
James O'ConnorVerified Lawyer
8

Central Bank of UAE rules cap early-settlement fees at 1% of outstanding balance or AED 10,000 (whichever is lower) for residential mortgages. The 1.5% quote is above cap and you should challenge it formally. 'Transfer admin' fees are not separately permitted — only the CBUAE-prescribed early-settlement fee applies. Send Mashreq a written request to confirm fees within CBUAE caps; if they refuse, file a complaint with the CBUAE Consumer Protection Department and proceed with the ENBD switch in parallel. CBUAE typically rules in the customer's favour within 30 days.

Family Law

Custody of children after divorce when one parent wants to relocate abroad

May 13, 2026·1 answers
Fatima Al-ZaabiVerified Lawyer
24

Jurisdiction follows the child's habitual residence — Dubai courts have jurisdiction because the child lives in the UAE. For a mixed-nationality marriage with a Muslim UAE national father, the case will fall under Sharia personal status courts (not the non-Muslim civil family court). Relocation requires the father's consent or a court order finding it in the child's best interests; UAE courts historically resist relocation that severs paternal contact. Negotiated visitation schedule with extended Manila summer visits is the typical compromise.

Corporate / Commercial

My business partner wants to exit — how do we value the company?

May 12, 2026·1 answers
James O'ConnorVerified Lawyer
12

For a profitable 4-year trading SME, three valuation approaches are standard: (1) earnings multiple — typically 3-5x sustainable EBITDA for trading; (2) net-asset value if asset-heavy; (3) DCF if cash flows are predictable 5+ years. Take the highest of approaches (1) and (2). On corporate side: amend MOA and AOA at the Dubai DED to reflect the new shareholding (100% to you), settle his loan account, draft a deed of release + non-compete, and update the trade licence. Total timeline 6-10 weeks; budget AED 30-40k legal + DED + notary.

Civil Litigation

Breach of contract: client used my designs without paying after I withdrew them

May 11, 2026·1 answers
Reema KhouryVerified Lawyer
24

Two parallel actions: (1) IP infringement at the Ministry of Economy for unauthorised reproduction of copyrighted works (your designs are protected from the moment of creation, no registration required for copyright); (2) civil damages claim at Dubai Courts for unjust enrichment + actual licence-equivalent fee. Step 1: send a takedown demand to the client and a DMCA notice to their hosting provider. Step 2: preserve evidence — Wayback Machine snapshots of the live site, original .ai/.psd files with creation timestamps, email chain showing pitch. Step 3: file civil suit; statutory damages can be 2-3x the licence fee plus legal costs.

Insurance

Insurance claim denied after car accident — is the denial valid because I had no UAE licence at the time?

My UAE residency lapsed for 6 weeks during which I drove on my home-country (Lebanese) licence. Had an accident. Insurance denied claim citing 'no valid UAE licence'. Is this valid grounds?

May 10, 2026·No answers yet

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