Misuse of Company Assets: Civil and Criminal Remedies in Dubai

Using company money, stock, vehicles or intellectual property for personal gain can lead to a civil recovery claim and, depending on the facts, a criminal complaint for breach of trust. The two tracks interact and should be sequenced deliberately.

What comes first?

Secure the records and assets. A forensic review of accounts often comes first. Do not confront the individual before you have copies of bank statements, ledgers and contracts. Early confrontation gives time to move assets or alter records.

Civil claim or criminal complaint?

Civil claims aim to recover money and damages. A criminal complaint can bring investigative powers but loses control of timing, and an admission in one track can be used in the other. We advise on whether to run one, the other or both.

What can be recovered?

Money taken, profit made from the assets, and losses caused. Recovery depends on tracing and on the individual's means. See breach of fiduciary duty for the civil framework.

Documents to have ready

Bank statements and ledgers
Asset registers
Contracts with related parties
Emails and messages
Employment or management agreement

Send us the documentsA short message and the key papers are enough for a first assessment.

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Common questions

Can I report this to the police?

Yes. Whether you should, and when, depends on strategy. We advise before filing.

Can the person keep working in the company meanwhile?

That is a governance decision with legal risk. We advise on interim controls.

More on director & management disputes

This page is general information based on UAE and Dubai legislation as we understand it at the date of drafting. It is not legal advice. Laws are amended, and the right step depends on your documents and facts. Outcomes are never guaranteed.