In the world of business and economic dealings, cheques are more than simply portions of paper — they constitute consideration. When that consideration is damaged thru a bounced cheque, it may lead to extreme results, especially within the UAE, in which financial discipline is strictly enforced.

As we pass into 2025, the UAE legal landscape round bounced cheques has advanced drastically. With new guidelines selling each fairness and responsibility, people and organizations want to understand their prison rights and the proper method for issuing a prison note.

At Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants, we assist customers navigate the criminal complexities of monetary disputes, and in this blog, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step system of sending a criminal word for a bounced cheque in the UAE, up to date for 2025 — from knowing your rights to making sure compliance with the present day legal guidelines.

What is a Bounced Cheque?

A bounced cheque, also known as a dishonored or again cheque, takes place while the bank refuses to technique the fee due to:

• Insufficient finances within the drawer’s account
• A signature mismatch or technical errors
• Closure of the account
• A forestall-price order

Bounced cheques are considered a severe felony count under UAE law, regularly main to civil and, in some instances, crook liabilities. Whether you’re a business proprietor, a landlord, or a person creditor, you have got the proper to pursue criminal motion — but the first step starts offevolved with a well-drafted prison observe.

Legal Landscape of Bounced Cheques within the UAE (2025 Update)

As of 2025, Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2020 and its subsequent amendments have reshaped the technique to cheque-associated disputes:

• Partial payments of cheques are now allowed.
• Criminal consequences are no longer automatic for bounced cheques, unless fraud is worried.
• Civil strategies have turned out to be more streamlined, focusing on debt recovery and reimbursement.

This criminal reform targets to guide commercial enterprise continuity at the same time as nonetheless conserving defaulters accountable.

At Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants, our team of professional legal advocates in Dubai ensures that clients stay compliant with those evolving legal guidelines while affirming their rights successfully.

When Can You Send a Legal Notice?

You can send a prison be aware without delay after the financial institution returns the cheque due to an inadequate price range or every other valid cause for dishonor. The bounced cheque ought to be observed by way of a legitimate return memo or financial institution statement stating the purpose for non-fee.

• A felony note serves two number one purposes:
• Demand reimbursement of the due amount within a stipulated time frame
• Formally document your purpose to initiate felony proceedings if compensation isn’t made
• This document is essential in building a case and may frequently lead to an out-of-court agreement, saving time and resources.

Step-by-step Guide to Sending a Legal Notice for a Bounced Cheque in UAE (2025)

Step 1: Engage a Qualified Legal Expert

Before you take any step, seek advice from a professional law firm. Engaging with reputable company law firms in Dubai ensures that your legal observe is accurate, compliant with neighborhood legal guidelines, and strategically drafted to protect your pursuits.

Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants provides personalized consultation, supporting clients recognize their criminal role and advising them on the subsequent exceptional course of action.

Step 2: Collect All Supporting Documents

• To ship a legally valid note, make certain you accumulate the subsequent:
• Original or copy of the bounced cheque
• Return memo or reputable bank declaration showing the cause for the dishonor
• Contractual agreements (if any)
• Communication information with the provider of the cheque
• These files shape the spine of your claim and can be referenced inside the notice.

Step 3: Drafting the Legal Notice

• Your legal advisor will draft a notice that typically consists of:
• Name and deal with of the cheque company (drawer)
• Details of the cheque: date, quantity, amount, issuing financial institution
• Statement of facts explaining the transaction and reason for price
• Reference to the cheque jump and financial institution memo
• A demand for complete charge within 7 to fifteen operating days
• A caution of civil and/or criminal action in case of non-compliance

We at Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants ensure the tone of the awareness is firm but professional, aiming to resolve the problem amicably whilst positioning you firmly within the event of litigation.

Step 4: Sending the Notice

• The felony word has to be sent through:
• Registered courier (with shipping receipt), or
• Email (if previously agreed upon in a settlement), or
• Through court notary/public notary, mainly in high-price or complicated instances
• Keep copies and evidence of dispatch in your records. This step is important if the matter escalates to civil court.

Step 5: Wait for Response / Settlement Window

After sending the awareness, the cheque issuer generally has 7 to fifteen days to respond and clean the dues. In many cases, this consequences in:

• Immediate reimbursement
• Proposal for agreement
• Denial or silence (wherein case prison action proceeds)
• Our organization often helps negotiation and mediation at this level to assist each party in reaching an honest resolution — without going to court.

What If There’s No Response?

If the drawer fails to reply or denies liability, you can take further criminal steps:

1. Civil Case for Recovery

You may additionally record a civil lawsuit to recover:

• The cheque amount
• Interest (if agreed upon)
• Legal costs and damages

The UAE courts normally prioritize cheque soar cases and might trouble charge orders primarily based on documentation, particularly if the amount is giant.

2. Criminal Complaint (If Fraud is Involved)

If there’s evidence of fraudulent cause — together with issuing cheques from a closed account or deliberate deceit — you could pursue a crook case. In such cases, courts might also impose:

• Fines
• Travel bans
• Seizure of assets

With experienced advocates and legal experts with the aid of your side, you may build a robust case, whether civil or criminal, sponsored by means of evidence and professional illustration.

Why Does Legal Representation Matter?

Bounced cheque cases might also appear simple, however, the criminal tactics require accuracy, proof, and strategic coping with. Having the right felony associate ensures that:

Your notice is compliant with UAE regulation

You follow the right legal timelines

You keep away from procedural mistakes that could weaken your case

You maximize your possibilities of successful healing

At Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants, our reputation as one of the trusted company law firms in Dubai is built on our purchaser-first technique and deep understanding of UAE cheque regulations and dispute resolution.

How can we help?

✅ Draft and dispatch legally sound notices

✅ Provide representation in court for civil or crook topics

✅ Offer strategic negotiation for quicker settlements

✅ Handle multi-cheque, company, and excessive-fee disputes

✅ Advise on submit-judgment enforcement (asset freezing, garnishment, etc.)

Our crew of felony advocates in Dubai has helped loads of clients — from SMEs to main groups — recover finances effectively and legally.

Final Thoughts

A bounced cheque is greater than a monetary setback — it is a breach of believe. But with the proper prison steps and expert steerage, you can not handiest recover your dues but additionally shield your reputation and pastimes.

In 2025, with streamlined UAE legal guidelines helping each lender and honest commercial enterprise practice, the position of expert legal observe and representation is more crucial than ever.

Let Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates and Legal Consultants be your relied-on best friend. As pinnacle advocates and legal consultants in the UAE, we make certain that your rights are blanketed and your voice is heard — from the primary observe to the very last judgment.