UAE Court Rules in Favor of Defendant in Debt Dispute
Man acquitted of a Dh200,000 debt claim after swearing he did not borrow the amount.
A court in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, has acquitted a man of a claim that he owed Dh200,000 to a friend, after he swore in court that the allegation was untrue.
The ruling was made on Thursday, affirming that the plaintiff's case lacked sufficient evidence.
The plaintiff, who initiated the lawsuit, claimed the defendant had borrowed Dh200,000 three years prior, and sought an additional Dh50,000 for delays and alleged financial losses incurred, along with legal fees.
In support of his claim, the plaintiff presented a witness; however, he did not provide any legal documentation to substantiate the loan.
In response to the accusation, the defendant's legal counsel stated that verbal testimony alone is insufficient to support financial claims exceeding Dh50,000, referencing Article 66 of Law No 35 of 2022, which governs such cases.
The court agreed with the defense, highlighting the plaintiff's failure to produce written or electronic evidence of the alleged loan.
In light of the absence of documentation, the plaintiff requested that the defendant submit to a decisive oath, a procedure recognized in Shariah law and integrated into the legal framework of the UAE for resolving disputes lacking concrete evidence.
The defendant asserted under oath, "I swear by Almighty God that I did not borrow Dh200,000 from the plaintiff and am not liable for the amount claimed.
God is my witness."
A decisive oath functions as a conclusive resolution mechanism where one party cannot substantiate their claims with evidence, relying instead on the integrity of the opposing party's oath.
Following the defendant's declaration, the court determined that the plaintiff's claim no longer held any legal merit, resulting in the dismissal of the case.
Furthermore, the plaintiff was ordered to bear all court costs and related expenses, in accordance with Article 133 of the Civil Procedure Law.
The ruling was made on Thursday, affirming that the plaintiff's case lacked sufficient evidence.
The plaintiff, who initiated the lawsuit, claimed the defendant had borrowed Dh200,000 three years prior, and sought an additional Dh50,000 for delays and alleged financial losses incurred, along with legal fees.
In support of his claim, the plaintiff presented a witness; however, he did not provide any legal documentation to substantiate the loan.
In response to the accusation, the defendant's legal counsel stated that verbal testimony alone is insufficient to support financial claims exceeding Dh50,000, referencing Article 66 of Law No 35 of 2022, which governs such cases.
The court agreed with the defense, highlighting the plaintiff's failure to produce written or electronic evidence of the alleged loan.
In light of the absence of documentation, the plaintiff requested that the defendant submit to a decisive oath, a procedure recognized in Shariah law and integrated into the legal framework of the UAE for resolving disputes lacking concrete evidence.
The defendant asserted under oath, "I swear by Almighty God that I did not borrow Dh200,000 from the plaintiff and am not liable for the amount claimed.
God is my witness."
A decisive oath functions as a conclusive resolution mechanism where one party cannot substantiate their claims with evidence, relying instead on the integrity of the opposing party's oath.
Following the defendant's declaration, the court determined that the plaintiff's claim no longer held any legal merit, resulting in the dismissal of the case.
Furthermore, the plaintiff was ordered to bear all court costs and related expenses, in accordance with Article 133 of the Civil Procedure Law.
