How do I prove my innocence when I face arrest if I return to UAE?

A Briton accused of issuing a dud cheque wants to clear his name but fears getting arrested on arrival at Abu Dhabi airport, while another reader asks about non-refundable cinema tickets bought online.

I am a British national and was accused by a person I worked with of issuing a dud cheque amounting to Dh50,000. I want to solve this issue because I now have a criminal record with Abu Dhabi Police. The police, however, have advised me not to travel to the UAE because I will be arrested upon arrival at the airport. How can I resolve this problem and prove my innocence without getting arrested? I need a clearance document from Abu Dhabi Police to be able to resume my work as an instructor in Britain.

Unfortunately under the UAE law there is currently no way around your predicament, except by paying off the cheque. When it comes to dud cheques there is always room for settlements but the law does not consider the circumstances in which the cheque was issued, so you would not be able to plead your case. It is a case of either paying the amount or, as the police told you, do not venture to the UAE if you want to avoid arrest. Only once a settlement is reached can a court end any criminal proceedings under way.

Is there a consumer law stipulating that online purchases cannot be refunded? I bought movie tickets recently and read on the cinema website that the tickets are non-refundable.

Online shopping is no different to normal shopping in that you enter into a contract governed by the law. However, a cinema ticket is not like purchasing an item of clothing, where there may be a defect and you can return or exchange the item. Unless the cinema for whatever reason does not does not show the film or there is some problem with the viewing, the cinema has no obligation to refund the amount, as its terms and conditions will set out.

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