Frozen bank account
Whether the freeze stems from a court order or a bank compliance action, we establish the basis and the fastest realistic route to a resolution.
Finance & Banking Law · Urgent · Dubai, UAE
Bank Account Freeze & Banking Dispute Lawyer Dubai
Frozen bank account, a guarantee just called, or your bank has filed a claim? These are active emergencies - call before payroll or payments are missed.
MBM acts urgently for businesses and individuals facing bank-initiated or bank-directed action in the UAE - frozen accounts, called guarantees, letter of credit disputes, loan default claims and syndicated facility disputes. We establish the basis for the action quickly and advise on the realistic options.
The framework
Why the account was frozen decides the response
UAE banks operate under the oversight of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), and a frozen account typically results from one of two distinct routes: a court-ordered precautionary attachment connected to a civil claim against the account holder, or a bank-initiated compliance freeze under the bank's own regulatory obligations. The two require entirely different responses.
Guarantees, letters of credit and loan facilities are each governed primarily by their own contractual terms, read alongside general UAE contract and banking practice. This page describes the general framework; it is not advice on your matter.
Matters we handle
Banking disputes MBM is instructed on
These are the situations that most often reach us. If yours is not listed, it is still worth an urgent call.
Bank guarantee called or disputed
Assessing whether grounds exist to challenge a call on a guarantee, and acting quickly given how fast these demands move.
Loan default disputes
Disputing a declared default, or negotiating with a lender before enforcement action is taken.
Letter of credit disputes
Disputes over document compliance, payment refusal, or release of funds under a letter of credit.
Bank suing you or your business
Where a bank has already filed a claim, understanding the deadline and the merits is the immediate priority.
Syndicated loan disputes
Disputes involving multiple lenders and a facility agent under a syndicated financing arrangement.
Our approach
What MBM actually does on a banking dispute
Fast, practical steps - because these matters move quickly.
Respond urgently
Frozen accounts, called guarantees and bank claims are treated as priority enquiries, given the operational impact of delay.
Establish the exact basis
We identify precisely what order, notice or contractual provision underlies the bank's action before advising on next steps.
Engage the bank directly
Where negotiation with the bank's compliance or credit team is the fastest route, we engage directly rather than defaulting to litigation.
Apply to the court where needed
Where a court-ordered freeze or claim requires a formal application or defence, we prepare and file it.
Represent through to resolution
From the first urgent call through to a lifted freeze, a resolved guarantee dispute, or a defended claim.
Before you call
What to have to hand
If the matter is urgent, call first - do not wait to gather documents.
- Any freeze notice or court orderFrom the bank or the court, if received
- The relevant loan, guarantee or LC documentsAll pages, including amendments
- Correspondence with the bankEmails or letters connected to the matter
- Any claim receivedIf the bank has filed proceedings
- A timeline of eventsAs you understand them, with dates where you can
Why MBM
Ready to respond when hours matter
A frozen account or a called guarantee does not wait for a convenient appointment. MBM is set up to respond quickly and engage directly with banks, not just file a claim months later.
- Urgent response as standard. Banking emergencies are prioritised, not queued.
- Litigation experience in-house. Where a matter has to be argued in court, the people advising you are the people who will argue it.
- Comfortable with the documents. Loan agreements, guarantees and LC terms are read closely, not summarised at a glance.
- Two offices. Dubai and Sharjah.
17Years in practice as MBM Businessmen Services L.L.C.
90+Years of shared experience across the team
10Lawyers, litigation and arbitration capable
95%Win rate in high-stakes disputes, as published by the firm
Common questions
Banking disputes in the UAE, answered directly
General information, not advice on your matter. Positions and procedures can change and depend on your specific facts.
My bank account has been frozen in the UAE - what can I do?
First establish why the account was frozen - a court order, a precautionary attachment connected to a civil claim, or a bank-initiated compliance action each require a different response. MBM reviews the freeze order or bank notice and advises on the fastest realistic route to having it lifted or challenged.
Can a frozen bank account be unfrozen quickly?
It depends on the basis for the freeze. Where it stems from a precautionary attachment connected to a civil claim, a formal application can sometimes be made to have it lifted or varied. Where it is a bank-initiated compliance freeze, the process is different and generally involves engaging directly with the bank's compliance department alongside legal advice.
What happens if a bank calls a guarantee?
A bank guarantee is typically payable on demand under its own terms, which makes it difficult to stop once called. MBM assesses whether there are grounds to challenge the call - for example fraud or a clear breach of the underlying agreement - and advises on the realistic options quickly, since these matters move fast.
What should I do if my bank is suing me or my business?
Have the claim reviewed as soon as possible and confirm the response deadline. Banking claims are often well-documented and move through the courts efficiently, so early advice on the merits and any available defence matters.
What is a letter of credit dispute?
LC disputes typically arise over whether presented documents comply with the credit's terms, or over a bank's refusal to pay or release funds. These are technical, document-driven disputes that require close reading of the LC terms and the underlying trade documents.
Can a business dispute a loan default declared by its bank?
In some circumstances, yes - for example where the default is disputed on the facts, or where the bank's own conduct is in question. Whether a genuine dispute exists depends on the loan agreement and the circumstances of the alleged default.
Does MBM handle syndicated loan disputes?
Yes. Syndicated facility disputes often involve multiple lenders and a facility agent, and typically turn on the specific terms of the syndicated loan agreement and inter-creditor arrangements.
Is a frozen account the same as a bank closing my account?
No. A freeze restricts access to funds already in the account, usually pending a legal process or compliance review, while account closure ends the banking relationship entirely. The two can occur together but raise different issues.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer after my account is frozen?
As soon as possible. A frozen account can affect payroll, supplier payments and day-to-day operations immediately, and understanding the basis for the freeze early affects what options remain realistic.
How much does banking dispute representation cost in Dubai?
The initial consultation with MBM is free. Cost thereafter depends on the nature and urgency of the matter. MBM provides a scope and fee position before you instruct.
Urgent consultation
Tell us what has happened
Tell us briefly about your situation. Our team will review your enquiry and advise you on the appropriate next step. Everything you send is treated as confidential.
If your account has just been frozen or a deadline is running, please call rather than waiting for a reply by email.
- +971 4 570 0204Urgent enquiries answered as a priority
- WhatsApp +971 54 596 1111Send the freeze notice or claim as a photo if it is easier
- info@mbm-co.comAttach any notice, order or claim you have received
Practice area: Finance & Banking Law
Jurisdiction: Dubai & Sharjah, UAE
Last reviewed: September 2026
Thank you — your enquiry is with our team.
A member of the MBM team will review what you have sent and come back to you with the appropriate next step.
A frozen account costs money every day it stays frozen. Call now.
Whether it is a frozen account, a called guarantee, or a bank claim, the earlier we understand the basis, the faster we can act. The first consultation is free.