Unpaid School Fees: Abu Dhabi Court Orders Parent To Pay Dh197,680

The Abu Dhabi Commercial Court of First Instance has ordered a parent to pay Dh197,680 to a private school for unpaid tuition fees relating to the enrolment of his children.

 

The court also held a woman jointly liable for Dh142,800, the value of a cheque issued from her bank account to the school. The cheque could not be cashed because it had been prepared in a manner that prevented payment. The two were also ordered to jointly pay Dh3,000 in compensation.

 

According to court records, the parent had enrolled his children at the private school but failed to settle the tuition fees. He later handed the school a cheque towards part of the outstanding amount. Although the cheque was drawn on the woman's account, the school was unable to cash it.

 

The published ruling referred to an earlier criminal case connected with the cheque but did not disclose the penalty imposed in that case. It also did not explain the nature of the woman's relationship with the parent.

 

School’s Claim

 

The school brought a civil case seeking Dh197,680 from the parent for the unpaid fees. It also asked the court to hold the woman jointly responsible for Dh142,800, representing the value of the cheque, and sought Dh15,000 in damages.

 

The school submitted invoices and account statements showing the outstanding tuition fees, a copy of the cheque, evidence that it had been returned unpaid and a copy of the related criminal judgment.

 

The woman asked the court to dismiss the claim against her, arguing that she was not involved in the underlying dispute. The court rejected her argument, noting that the cheque had been issued from her account in favour of the school.

 

The court also found that she had not produced evidence showing that the amount covered by the cheque had been paid or that she was no longer liable for it.

 

The parent appeared before the court but was unable to successfully challenge the school's evidence. He also failed to establish that the outstanding tuition fees had already been paid.

 

Court’s Decision

 

The court ordered the parent to pay Dh197,680 to the school. The woman was held jointly responsible with him for Dh142,800, corresponding to the value of the unpaid cheque.

 

The two were also ordered to jointly pay Dh3,000 in compensation, in addition to court expenses and Dh200 in legal fees. The court rejected the school's remaining claims.