The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court recently adjudicated a case involving a private school and a student's guardian.
The school brought forth a lawsuit against the guardian, seeking to compel payment of 23,370 dirhams in outstanding academic fees. Despite the student completing her schooling, the unpaid arrears remained unresolved.
Legal Proceedings and Expert Evaluation
Delving into the details, the private school initiated legal action against the student's guardian, citing unpaid fees totaling 61,570 dirhams for the student's education from eighth to twelfth grade. However, the guardian only remitted 38,200 dirhams, despite repeated requests for full payment. As part of the legal process, the court appointed an expert to assess the situation.
The court's ruling drew upon the Civil Transactions Law, emphasizing that rights must be fulfilled when the legal conditions for entitlement are met. In line with this principle, the court relied on the expert's report, which meticulously examined the receipts provided by both parties. The expert's analysis revealed that the guardian's remaining debt for his daughter's education amounted to 23,370 dirhams at the time of the report.
Court's Decision and Guardian's Defense
Accepting the expert's findings, the court ruled in favor of the school, obligating the guardian to settle the outstanding amount. The guardian attempted to challenge the expert's report, asserting that school bus fees should be deducted from the outstanding sum since he arranged transportation for his daughter. However, the court dismissed this argument, noting the lack of evidence to support the claim. As a result, the court upheld the school's claim, ordering the guardian to pay 23,370 dirhams in unpaid academic fees along with associated expenses.
The court's judgment underscores the importance of fulfilling financial obligations in the education sector. Despite the completion of the student's schooling, the guardian remained liable for outstanding fees as per the contractual agreement with the school. This case serves as a reminder of the legal recourse available to educational institutions in pursuing overdue payments and maintaining financial integrity within the education system.