Dubai court orders parent to pay Dh125,000 in outstanding school fees for two children

Private school takes parent to court over unpaid fees, wins settlement

Last updated: August 16, 2025 | 11:04

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Dubai court orders parent to pay Dh125,000 in outstanding school fees for two children

Dubai: The Dubai Civil Court has ordered a father to pay Dh125,706 in overdue tuition fees owed to a private school on behalf of his two children, after the school exhausted all amicable means to recover its dues.

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by the school before the Civil Court, demanding that an Arab national pay Dh125,706 plus legal interest of 12% from the due date until full settlement, in addition to court fees and legal expenses.

In its statement of claim, the school explained that the defendant’s two children had been enrolled at the institution, but he failed to pay the tuition fees, which had accumulated for more than a year.

Although he initially requested to pay in instalments and an agreement was reached, he failed to honour the terms despite repeated reminders, prompting the school to take legal action.

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The school presented supporting documents, including a copy of the contract and an invoice, while the defendant did not attend court proceedings.

An accounting expert appointed by the court confirmed in his report that the defendant owed Dh125,706 after paying only Dh35,000 out of a total of Dh160,706. The report also confirmed his failure to comply with the agreed instalment plan.

The court, ruling in absentia under Article 55 of the Civil Procedure Law, found the expert’s report reliable and held that the defendant had breached his contractual obligations.

It therefore ordered him to pay the outstanding fees of Dh125,706, with 5% annual interest from the date of claim until full settlement, along with court fees and attorney’s costs.

Abdulla RasheedEditor - Abu Dhabi

Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi  is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in both Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief fo Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of the Research Center, and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, D.C., he reported for Alittihad  and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical take on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders including UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and the wider Arab world.