Sensible solution for defaulters

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“Communism failed, now capitalism has failed, so I believe now is the time for Islamic Finance!”

defaultersDubai’s police chief called for an easing of regulations on cheque fraud as the emirate’s jails fill with people guilty of bouncing cheques, according Finanacial Times.

Police are bearing the brunt of problems with defaulters, who are treated as criminals if a complaint is issued by a creditor. Prison officials say that about 20 per cent of the city’s 2,400 inmates have been convicted of cheque fraud. Moreover, according to police reports, in June last year 42 percent of the than 3,000 inmates in Dubai’s central jail are there because they did not repay bank loans.

Lawyers say the number of financial-related cases and convictions has jumped dramatically in recent months, as the economic slowdown and a property crash combine with disappearing credit facilities.

The practice of jailing debtors, more usual in 18th century England than in an ultramodern city, may not be the right approach in modern society.  Combined measures, such as: tightening lending criteria, restructuring debt and alternative punishments will help reducing the population of loan and cheques defaulters in prisons.

In many European countries since the early 1980s, “free work” (community service) may be substituted for imprisonment as an alternative to imprisonment for failing to pay a debt. Such a substitution may be imposed by the judicial administration. The administration of this alternative is the duty of the social workers who are attached to the courts and who arrange for community service. For example, one day-fine is regarded as the equivalent of six to eight hours of community service.

UAE Cabinet yesterday ratified several federal draft laws, including a community service law, which allows community service as an alternative punishment, in lieu of imprisonment and financial penalty in certain criminal and civil cases, reported the official news agency WAM.

Fines  and other penalties such as restitution and compensation for victims of crime must be enforceable to ensure the basis of the justice system is not undermined. But it does not make sense to jail a person over a minor breach of the law or default on small amount. Prisons are often seen as a university for criminals. And it is unlikely much good can come from exposing generally law-abiding citizens defaulters to such an environment.

2 COMMENTS

  1. President pardons 329 inmates, settles their debts

    President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has pardoned 329 prisoners and pledged to settle their debts which worth more than Dh 3 million.

    The President’s amnesty was motivated by the good conduct those inmates have shown during their jail terms in a number of Corrective and Punitive Establishments.

    The Public Prosecution in Abu Dhabi has immediately initiated measures to enforce the amnesty which has left deep impression on the released prisoners.

  2. 85% of cheque defaults not linked to bank debts

    http://www.business24-7.ae/articles/2009/3/pages/03192009_475653596abc4a0eab178db3c8344659.aspx

    Most bounced cheques at UAE banks belong to landlords and tenants, according to information available with the country’s Central Bank.

    “Our statistics show only 15 per cent of bounced cheques relate to bank debts, while 85 per cent relate to landlords and the business sector,” said Sultan Nasser Al Suwaidi, Central Bank Governor.

    He further said investment funds in the country will not be allowed to give loans or offer any financial product that involves loans. “Due to the international financial crisis, responsibilities have been re-distributed between the Central Bank and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).

    “Investment banks or any other body providing loans, regardless of their other activities, would be subject to Central Bank regulations, regardless of whether these bodies provided loans directly to borrowers or in an indirect way through investment funds.”

    Al Suwaidi said a joint committee comprising Central Bank and SCA officials has been set up to look into investment portfolios and funds dealing with local and foreign securities, which are under the authority of banks.

    The Central Bank would inspect them for compliance with SCA regulations and inform the authority. The SCA, not the Central Bank will be responsible for following up cases related to fraudulent funds, he said.

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