Latest articles
Nyla v Naomi Limited [2023] DIFC SCT 510 — Employment dispute regarding final settlement and Article 19 penalties (13 March 2024)
The dispute centered on the final settlement owed to the Claimant, Nyla, following his termination by Naomi Limited on 6 November 2023. The Claimant sought recovery of several distinct financial components: a partial salary shortfall from July 2023, unpaid salary for October and November 2023, a…
Naba v Niles [2023] DIFC SCT 509 — Refusal of permission to appeal in employment dispute (28 March 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal reinforces the necessity of evidentiary compliance, dismissing an appeal application as "totally without merit" after the employer failed to substantiate claims during the original proceedings.
Niki v Nolan [2023] DIFC SCT 497 — Breach of contract and the doctrine of estoppel (16 April 2024)
The dispute centered on a consultancy agreement signed on 28 June 2021, under which the Claimant, Niki, provided human resource services to the Defendant, Nolan. The Claimant alleged that it was entitled to a placement fee after the Defendant hired a consultant—who had been working on-site at the…
NAJEE v NASH [2023] DIFC SCT 496 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding arbitration clauses (26 January 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of its jurisdiction, confirming that in the absence of a clear written agreement to opt into the DIFC Courts, valid arbitration clauses in consumer insurance policies remain enforceable.
KRITY v KARAN RESTAURANT AND BAR [2019] DIFC SCT 487 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid wages and visa cost recoupment (29 December 2019)
The dispute arose following the Claimant’s resignation from Karan Restaurant and Bar (Dubai) LLC on 22 September 2019. The Claimant, who had been employed since 1 April 2019, alleged that he was subjected to verbal abuse by the owner, prompting him to terminate his contract for cause.
KRIVY LLP v KRIN LIGHTING [2019] DIFC SCT 486 — Unpaid legal fees and the validity of pre-engagement conduct (10 December 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of unpaid professional fees for legal services provided by Krivy LLP (Dubai Branch) to Krin Lighting LLC. The Claimant alleged that it had provided legal advice regarding UAE employment law termination matters, for which it issued two invoices dated 31 May 2019…
NAYAN v NANDIKA [2025] DIFC SCT 485 — Appeal dismissed for failure to provide evidence at trial (26 June 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the high threshold for introducing new evidence on appeal, underscoring the mandatory requirement for written consent in employment contract variations.
NELL v NEMI [2023] DIFC SCT 485 — Dismissal of permission to appeal a jurisdictional ruling (09 August 2024)
The dispute originated from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Nell, and the Respondent, Nemi. The Claimant served as a "grilled chicken maker" for the Defendant, a role that eventually led to a claim for unpaid end-of-service entitlements.
NELL v NEMI [2023] DIFC SCT 485 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding employment contract performance (16 May 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that the physical location of employment performance within the DIFC is sufficient to establish jurisdiction, notwithstanding an employer's onshore licensing.
NAIF v NAJIB [2023] DIFC SCT 484 — Failure to substantiate maintenance service claims (18 September 2024)
The dispute centered on an Executive Annual Maintenance Contract signed on 9 September 2020, under which the Claimant, Naif, provided preventive and reactive maintenance services for restaurants operated by the Defendant, Najib.
LENDRO v MR. LUTIS [2020] DIFC SCT 166 — Contractual liability for legal services following disputed termination (23 July 2020)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid legal fees arising from an engagement agreement dated 9 February 2015. The Claimant, Lendro, sought recovery of fees for services rendered between September 2019 and February 2020, which the Defendant, Mr.
NYSA v NORWOOD [2023] DIFC SCT 480 — Primacy of statutory maintenance obligations over private lease terms (25 March 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms that private contractual clauses attempting to shift maintenance burdens onto a lessee are invalid where they conflict with mandatory DIFC statutory protections.
LINSAEN COMPANY v LIRANI DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT [2019] DIFC SCT 479 — Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal over unpaid legal fees (04 December 2019)
The dispute arose from a contract for legal services provided by the Claimant, Linsaen Company Limited, to the Defendant, Lirani Development and Management LLC. The Claimant, a law firm based in the DIFC, sought to recover unpaid fees for services rendered regarding the Defendant’s land development…
Five Real Estate Development v Reem Emirates Aluminium [2021] DIFC TCD 003: The Perils of Procedural Prematurity in Default Judgments
How a three-week procedural tug-of-war in the Technology and Construction Division serves as a masterclass in the strict application of the Rules of the DIFC Courts. On 11 October 2021, H.E.
NOVA v NINA [2023] DIFC SCT 478 — Refusal of permission to appeal in Small Claims Tribunal contract dispute (11 March 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the high threshold for appellate intervention in Small Claims Tribunal matters, emphasizing that a failure to provide contemporaneous evidence of contractual non-performance precludes a realistic prospect of success on appeal.
ONNI v ORLAN [2025] DIFC SCT 475 — Refusal of permission to appeal SCT judgment (02 April 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reinforces the finality of Small Claims Tribunal proceedings, confirming that parties cannot introduce evidence on appeal that was within their control during the initial hearing.
MAHAR v MOORI [2022] DIFC SCT 473 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding subcontract disputes (17 January 2023)
The dispute arose from a construction subcontracting relationship that spanned over a decade, involving multiple corporate restructurings. The Claimant, Mahar, initiated proceedings in the SCT to recover outstanding payments allegedly owed under a 2012 agreement.
MAKET v MEPIS [2022] DIFC SCT 471 — Limited grant of permission to appeal on payment evidence (02 June 2023)
The DIFC Court clarifies the narrow threshold for challenging Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) findings, permitting an appeal solely on a disputed payment figure while upholding the underlying construction work valuation.
MAKUR v MOTLA [2022] DIFC SCT 471 — Partial performance and quantum meruit in construction disputes (19 May 2023)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the methodology for assessing damages in residential fit-out disputes where a contractor fails to complete the agreed scope of works.
MIUCIT v MAHAB [2022] DIFC SCT 467 — Fundamental non-performance and deposit recovery (21 February 2023)
The dispute centered on a failed commercial transaction initiated on 12 August 2021, when the Claimant, Miucit, submitted a purchase order to the Defendant, Mahab, totaling USD 113,347.50.
MANIATA v MUNTYCOMPANY [2020] DIFC SCT 463 — jurisdictional limits on employment claims involving onshore entities (04 February 2021)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he had been subjected to a unilateral salary reduction and a failure to provide mandatory health insurance during his secondment to the Defendant.
Lorenzo v Lola Real Estate [2019] DIFC SCT 463 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on rent refunds and snag list liability (28 February 2020)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s request for a refund of five days of unused rent following the early termination of a one-year lease agreement. The Claimant, Lorenzo, had entered into a lease for an apartment in the DIFC with the Defendant, Lola Real Estate, for an annual rent of AED…
NICO v NASH [2023] DIFC SCT 461 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (16 January 2024)
The dispute originated from a contractual disagreement between two individuals, Nico and Nolan (the Claimants), and a company identified as Nash (the Defendant). The Claimants, based in Abu Dhabi, initiated proceedings against the Dubai-based Defendant to recover funds they alleged were owed under…
NEGRETE v NAZLI [2025] DIFC SCT 459 — Permission to appeal granted regarding wrongful termination and investigation procedures (23 June 2025)
The dispute arises from the termination of the Claimant, Negrete, who was employed as a Server Assistant at the Defendant’s hotel in the DIFC. The Claimant’s employment commenced on 17 October 2021, with a monthly salary of AED 1,854.