Businesswoman Sues Uncle over Company She Says She Built With Her Own Funds

A businesswoman has filed a lawsuit against her uncle, alleging that he unlawfully took control of a company she claims to have established and financed entirely on her own. The dispute, involving a family-run business, has now reached the UAE’s highest judicial authority.

The Federal Supreme Court has ruled in her favour on appeal, overturning a previous judgment that had dismissed her case. The decision revives the legal battle over ownership rights and financial entitlements tied to the company.

According to local reports, the claimant stated that she had entered into a verbal agreement with her uncle to establish the business as equal partners, with a third party listed as a nominal owner. She told the court that she transferred Dh500,000 to cover the company’s government guarantee, after which the business was formally established and operated under her management.

She argued that the registered owner held the company in name only, submitting written documents and electronic correspondence to support her claims. The woman also maintained that she covered all expenses related to licensing, rent, and capital, and suffered both financial losses and moral harm after being excluded from the business.

The defendants rejected the allegations, challenging the validity of the submitted evidence and insisting that no contractual relationship existed. They relied on official company records that list them as the legal owners.

An earlier court ruling had ordered the uncle to pay more than Dh638,000, a decision that was upheld on appeal. However, a subsequent judgment overturned that ruling and dismissed the case entirely.

The Federal Supreme Court has now found that the dismissal failed to properly examine crucial evidence, including financial transfers and correspondence suggesting the claimant’s role in funding the business. It held that the earlier judgment overlooked key arguments and lacked sufficient reasoning.

As a result, the court has overturned the decision and referred the case back to the appellate court for reconsideration.

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