Upon instructions given by UAE’s President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan regarding Emirati defaulters, and without prejudice to the proof of security cheques in evidence, the criminal protection, stated in article (401) of the penal code No. (3) for 1987, will be lifted off security cheques presented by banks and financing companies against Emiratis.
The prosecution will reserve all statements and the courts will abate all cases before them and then immediately release all detainees and convicts since the competent prosecution proves these cheques guarantee the defaulters’ commitment.
According to Presidential instructions to the Minister of Justice, the Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the Federal Attorney General, the Attorneys General of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ra’s Al Khaimah, and secretary general of Interior Minister’s Office, Director of Dubai Courts and Chairman of Ra’s Al Khaimah Courts, the court temporary releases the detainee or the convict against bails that the prosecution deems fit until the investigation establishes the status of the cheque.
WAM
This is an excellent move from His Highness. I hope this will be applicable not only to Local/Emiratis but to expats as well, especially to those who do not have intention of running away from the obligations of paying back, but became a defaulter only due to inevitable reasons beyond one’s control.