30% increase in dud cheque cases

The first half of this year has seen a 30-per cent increase in dud cheque cases compared to the same period last year, according to the Head of Sharjah Federal Court of First Instance.

Mohammed Habib Al Kamali said 10 per cent of these cases were settled  through payment of money, reported 'Gulf Today'.

The court received 10,000 cases, of which 9,000 were related to bounced cheques. Women’s involvement in the cases was only two per cent.

The increase was attributed to the global financial crisis. The court received 895 cases in May of which 850 have been settled. The remaining cases were brought into court and verdicts were issued against the suspects.

Kamali noted that the jail term or fine on account of the dud cheques depends on the estimation of the judge, apart from the reasons for issuing the cheque. The judge also considers the circumstances in which the cheque was issued as well as the total amount of the cheque.