Dubai Debt - UK law firm (how to reply) 8 November 2022 at 7:04AM in Debt-free wannabe 10 replies 595 views

Johnns

Good morning all, I hope I can find some one who can help?

I have recently received a letter in the post from a UK law firm (Iridium Law Ltd - Maidenhead UK) advising they are chasing me for Dubai debt from Nov 2012, I was trying to find a template letter to reply to these guys. I found the below thread which someone kindly uploaded a template letter but the thread is now closed and I’m unable to download the letter. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/21309003#Comment_21309003

Can anyone share a template that I can use to reply back to this law firm about statue barred relating to Dubai debt  , also I hope this may help others in a similar situations.

Below is what was mentioned in the letter;

‘You are now required to settle your outstanding debt as set out above without further delay. At this stage our client is willing to consider a range of repayment options and, accordingly, we would invite you to respond to this letter so that a conference call can be arranged at a mutually convenient time to discuss this matter. Please respond to this letter with your direct contact details and any suitable dates and times in the next 7 days. We are authorised by our client to take all necessary steps to recover the debt and trust this will not be needed. We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Any advice or guidance on how to respond , the letter came standard post not recorded so don’t even now if I should bother replying or not.

I am also not sure if things have changed (the above post is a few years old) do Dubai banks now have legal rights to chase debt in UK - I am hopeful the reply stating statue barred debt might still help, I’m holding on to the reassurance that a few others have used this reply with some form of success. 

Any guidance would be gratefully received, as I’m really unsure how to reply to this letter if I should at all.

thanks in advance for any advice 🙏

MorningcoffeeIV

I doubt it would be statute barred, as the period is 15 years in UAE, rather than 6.

They pursue debt very aggressively. Don't ignore it.

Johnns

That is what I read as well, obviously if I had the available funds I’d love to clear my name, regretfully I’m not cash rich.. It is hard to find any case to prove whether the 15 year limitation can get actioned through a UK court, as these guys have sent me a letter in the post I need to reply but not really sure how or what to say, I am going to get some legal advice as well but thought I’d share my situation here just in case someone in a similar situation could help or advise. 

I will take your advice and not ignore the letter, and look forward to receiving further opinions on the matter. Thank u for the speedy reply 👍

sourcrates

How much are they chasing you for?

Usually, foreign creditors just get a solicitor in your home country to send you a threatening letter (cheap and cheerful) in the hope you will cough up and pay, as legal action from abroad can be costly and drawn out.

OK, some facts, you are in the UK, so you are governed by English common law, the Limitation period is 6 years in this country, so that`s how long a creditor has to chase you, no matter where they are based or where the debt was accrued, UAE law is not enforceable in the UK.

Send the statute barred letter and see if that makes them go away, and my best advice would be don`t ever go back to the UAE.

Johnns

Roughly £50k with interest incurred, I recall trying to negotiate a payment plan when I first moved back to UK and like others the bank wouldn’t accept - demanding full payment or a crazy payment plan I couldn’t afford… I’ve had various emails from companies but this is the first physical letter received in the post. Thank you for your input sourcrates and agree I won’t plan to visit the Middle East anytime soon 

RAS

You'd be advised to avoid taking any flight that might result in you landing in the UAE or any allied country. 

UAE Legal Expert | Detained in Dubai

fatbelly

What they do in the UAE is up to them.

If they want to take action in an English court it's fully defendable as the Limitation Period is 6 years.

I'd ignore it, but if sending a statute barred letter.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6027755/statute-barred-debts-and-the-limitation-act

just be aware that you'll likely get a load of legal jargon back that is designed to scare you into paying

DjangoUnchained

offer to pay them back two camels a year.

sammyjammy

DjangoUnchained said:

offer to pay them back two camels a year.

make those LGBT camels

Johnns

sammyjammy said:

DjangoUnchained said:

offer to pay them back two camels a year.

make those LGBT camels

🐫 2 humps is better than 1 🐪 🤣😂

Johnns

fatbelly said:

What they do in the UAE is up to them.

If they want to take action in an English court it's fully defendable as the Limitation Period is 6 years.

I'd ignore it, but if sending a statute barred letter.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6027755/statute-barred-debts-and-the-limitation-act

just be aware that you'll likely get a load of legal jargon back that is designed to scare you into paying

Thank u for your input 🙏