WhatsApp Messages Seal Dh367,000 Loan Dispute as Court Orders Repayment

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court has ordered a man to repay $100,000 (Dh367,376) along with Dh20,000 in compensation to a friend, after evidence showed he had acknowledged the debt through WhatsApp messages but failed to return the money.

The case was filed by the claimant, who sought a court order compelling his friend to repay the borrowed amount, along with nine per cent interest from the date of legal notice until full settlement. He also requested Dh50,000 in compensation for financial, moral and psychological damages, in addition to interest on the compensation amount.

According to the claimant, the defendant had borrowed the money in cash based on their friendship, promising to repay it promptly. However, he failed to do so without any legal justification, despite repeatedly acknowledging the debt in WhatsApp conversations. These messages included his promise to repay, discussions on payment methods, a proposed repayment schedule, and admissions made in front of witnesses.

After several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter amicably, the claimant issued a formal legal notice demanding repayment within five days. When the defendant did not comply, the case was brought before the court.

The court noted that the claimant supported his case with documented evidence, including the WhatsApp exchanges confirming the defendant’s acknowledgment of the debt. The defendant, meanwhile, did not dispute the claim or present any defence during court proceedings.

Based on the evidence, the court ordered the defendant to repay the full loan amount of $100,000.

Citing Articles 292 and 293(1) of the Civil Transactions Law, the court also found that the defendant’s failure to repay had caused both material and moral harm to the claimant. The material harm included financial loss and missed earnings, while the moral harm stemmed from distress and regret.

Accordingly, the court awarded Dh10,000 for material damages and Dh10,000 for moral damages, bringing the total compensation to Dh20,000.

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