Abu Dhabi Court Uses WhatsApp Chats as Evidence, Orders Man to Repay Dh233,513

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court has ordered a man to pay Dh233,513 to his former partner, after relying on WhatsApp messages as evidence of the debt. The complainant said he had handed over the amount in installments in good faith, but the defendant failed to meet his obligations and repeatedly delayed repayment.

 

The lawsuit was filed demanding Dh470,450, in addition to legal interest of 9 per cent from the date of filing until full settlement. The plaintiff explained that the defendant had agreed to become his project partner but later withdrew Dh500,000. Trusting the arrangement, the claimant gave him the funds by hand in several instalments. After receiving the money, however, the defendant only returned a small portion, paying Dh3,000 a month, which eventually totalled Dh29,550. He neither pursued the project nor honoured the agreement.

 

In its ruling, the court noted that the plaintiff filed the case on the grounds that he was a creditor of the defendant for the disputed amount. He submitted transfer slips and WhatsApp conversations between the two men to prove the claim. The defendant appeared before the court, arguing that their exchanges were personal transactions between friends, with no intention of forming a business partnership or borrowing large sums.

 

After examining the messages and other correspondence, which the defendant did not deny, the court said they demonstrated the financial relationship and the alleged loan. It appointed a technical expert, whose report confirmed that the WhatsApp chats showed the defendant had admitted receiving Dh275,000 -- Dh150,000 to pay a credit card bill and Dh125,000 for a personal debt.

 

The expert added that the defendant had only repaid Dh41,487, leaving an outstanding balance of Dh233,513. Based on this evidence, the court ordered the defendant to settle the remaining sum along with legal fees and expenses.

 

 

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