What if a partner withdraws company money without authority?

A disputed withdrawal should first be checked against the company's records and the partner's authority. It may involve an approved payment, a debt to the company or misconduct; disagreement alone does not establish a crime. For an LLC governed by the UAE Commercial Companies Law, company funds and personal funds must be assessed separately.

Published by: Dr. Karamali BahramiBusinessUnited Arab EmiratesSources checked:
  1. Obtain records through lawful company procedures: bank statements, the ledger, payment approvals, the memorandum and the manager's appointment terms. Establish the recipient, purpose and approval for each transfer, including any claimed salary, dividend or repayment of a partner's loan.

  2. The law requires proper company accounts and provides rights of oversight. An LLC partner may be accountable to the company for company property or benefits obtained through its activities; a manager may also face liability for fraud, misuse of authority or other specified breaches.

  3. Consider an accounting review, a properly convened partners' meeting and appropriate recovery or management-removal proceedings. Establish whether the loss belongs to the company or personally to a partner. A criminal report requires supporting facts, and free-zone company rules may differ.

A practical next step

List the disputed transfers with dates and supporting documents. Have a legal consultant assess authority, evidence preservation and any urgent protective application before changing bank mandates or making public allegations.

Official sources

  • Commercial Companies Law — Articles 5, 26, 82–85 and 87–91

Adapted from a photo post shared on Dr. Bahrami’s Instagram and checked against official sources. This page provides the updated guidance.

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