How a payment order works for unpaid invoices
For a fixed, due debt proven in writing, a payment order can be faster than a full lawsuit. Here is how it works and when it fits.
5 min readPractice areas
Commercial Disputes & Debt Recovery
An unpaid debt costs a business twice: cash and time. We pursue recovery through the fastest lawful route available.
We handle
- Payment orders for debts proven in writing
- Returned cheques and their enforcement
- Supplier, distributor and commercial agency disputes
- Partner and shareholder disputes
- Claims on unpaid invoices and commercial contracts
Situations we often see
“A client owes us money and stopped answering”
If the debt is fixed, due and proven in writing, a payment order may be faster than a full lawsuit. We check your documents and choose the route.
“A cheque given to us bounced”
A returned cheque can be enforced directly in many cases. We review the cheque, the bank's return memo and the underlying transaction.
“My business partner and I are in dispute”
Partner disputes put the company itself at risk. We review the memorandum of association and any shareholder agreement, and look for a solution that protects the business before going to court.
How we approach it
- 01
Choose the fastest lawful route
Demand letter, payment order, cheque enforcement or full claim: the route depends on the proof you hold.
- 02
Assets in view
Recovery is only real if there is something to recover. We consider attachment and the debtor's position from the start.
- 03
Commercial sense
A settlement with security, or an instalment plan, can be worth more than a long case. We tell you when.
- 04
Enforcement to the end
We follow the execution file until the amount is collected or a settlement is honoured.
What to bring
- The contract, purchase orders or quotations
- Invoices and statement of account
- Delivery notes or proof of service
- Returned cheques and bank return memos
- Emails or messages acknowledging the debt
- Company documents (trade licence, memorandum of association) for partner disputes
Questions clients ask
What is a payment order?
A payment order is a summary court procedure for a debt that is a fixed amount of money, due and proven in writing. It is usually faster than a full lawsuit. The debtor must be notified to pay before the application is filed, and can challenge the order afterwards.
Can a bounced cheque be enforced directly?
In many cases, yes: UAE law allows a returned cheque to be presented for execution as an enforceable instrument. Whether that is the right route depends on the cheque and the transaction behind it, which we review first.
Do you act for both creditors and debtors?
Yes. We advise businesses recovering debts and businesses defending claims they dispute, after a conflict check.
Insights
Discuss your matter with an advocate
Send us a short summary of your matter. We confirm there is no conflict of interest, then ask for your documents. We aim to reply within one working day.