Dubai court orders man to pay woman Dh118,600 over disputed loan

Dubai: A Dubai civil court has ordered a man to repay more than Dh93,000 to a woman who said she borrowed money from a bank to help him through financial trouble, in addition to Dh25,000 in damages for the psychological and financial strain caused by his refusal to settle the debt.

Court filings show the woman claimed she had transferred a total of Dh116,000 to the man over several installments, after he told her he was facing a business crisis. 

She said the loan was meant as temporary assistance, with repayment due on an agreed date, but the defendant returned only Dh19,000. 

The plaintiff argued that she was left with mounting interest on her bank loan, suffering both emotional distress and physical exhaustion that required hospital treatment.

The defendant rejected her version of events, insisting the money had been given as an investment in a joint project. 

He claimed he had even transferred profits back to her, and said her separate bank debts, including a personal loan and a car loan, were unrelated.

A panel of experts appointed by the court reviewed bank records, WhatsApp exchanges and other documents, concluding that the man acknowledged owing the woman money, even noting in one message that he was trying to sell part of his business to repay her. 

However, the panel found no evidence that the debt entitled her to additional interest, ruling instead that the outstanding sum was Dh93,600.

Relying on the expert report, the court awarded her that amount and granted an additional Dh25,000 in compensation, citing the emotional and financial harm she endured.