What happens if I close my bank account to avoid honouring a cheque in the UAE?

Closing or emptying your bank account specifically to stop a cheque from being paid is one of the situations the UAE deliberately kept as a criminal matter even after the 2022 reform. While Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2020 decriminalised the ordinary insufficient-funds bounce from 2 January 2022, it preserved criminal liability for bad-faith conduct — and acting to defeat a valid cheque, such as closing the account or withdrawing funds so it cannot clear, falls squarely within that. In other words, the law distinguishes between someone who genuinely cannot pay and someone who manipulates their account to avoid paying. The latter can face prosecution, with penalties set by the court, in addition to the holder still being able to enforce the debt. So this is not a safe way to avoid an obligation; it can convert a civil debt into a criminal exposure. If you are worried about an upcoming cheque you cannot cover, seek advice on lawful options instead — you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.