Latest articles
MANAN v METALI [2020] DIFC SCT 356 — Real estate brokerage commission dispute (14 December 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for real estate brokerage commissions, ruling that the mere transmission of property information without a formal contract or evidence of active negotiation is insufficient to establish a claim for fees.
MARIA v MOUNA [2020] DIFC SCT 355 — Employment termination and reputation damage claims (27 December 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the distinction between termination with notice and termination for cause under DIFC employment law, dismissing claims for arbitrary dismissal and reputational harm.
Ifechi Services v Ichtarca Tower Residential Body Corporate [2018] DIFC SCT 355 — Indemnity claims for legal fees require proof of actual payment (29 May 2018)
This Small Claims Tribunal judgment clarifies that an indemnity claim for legal fees fails where the claimant produces only unpaid invoices without evidence of actual expenditure, establishing a strict evidentiary threshold for "loss" in contract disputes.
MINNI v MITHAL [2021] DIFC SCT 354 — Breach of contract and force majeure in tourism services (15 June 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the threshold for invoking force majeure in the context of international tourism service agreements during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Imogen LLC v Ingolf Transporting & Maintenance Est [2017] SCT 353 — Small Claims Tribunal enforcement of unpaid rental invoices (07 February 2018)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding rental payments for a specific piece of machinery, identified as machine BD266, which the Claimant, Imogen LLC, had provided to the Defendant for a project in Inger.
Mubsid v Mihar [2023] DIFC SCT 352 — Employer liability in HR outsourcing arrangements (14 December 2023)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that an employer remains primarily liable for contractual employee entitlements, rejecting the defense that payments were contingent upon third-party client approval.
Julieta v Jagger Restaurant [2019] DIFC SCT 352 — Employment termination and Article 18 penalty enforcement (12 September 2019)
The dispute concerned the non-payment of final settlement dues following the termination of the Claimant, a waiter, by the Defendant, Jagger Restaurant, on 25 June 2019. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary for portions of April, May, and June, notice pay, gratuity, and service charges.
NASHTAR v NASIRUDDIN [2024] DIFC SCT 351 — Maintenance contract dispute and delay penalty enforcement (11 October 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of delay penalties in construction contracts where both parties contribute to project timelines, while affirming the validity of signed agreements despite allegations of forgery.
MIRBAL v MISUR [2023] DIFC SCT 351 — Termination of tenancy for persistent rent arrears (20 November 2023)
The dispute arose from a commercial tenancy agreement for a unit within the DIFC, where the landlord, Mirbal, sought to terminate the contract and evict the tenant, Misur, due to a recurring pattern of late rent payments.
Luyana v Lune [2020] DIFC SCT 334 — COVID-19 emergency measures and annual leave accrual (03 November 2020)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s entitlement to payment in lieu of accrued annual leave and public holidays following her resignation from the Defendant, a restaurant operating within the DIFC.
Luyana v Lune Dining [2020] DIFC SCT 334 — Employment benefits accrual during COVID-19 unpaid leave (01 November 2020)
The dispute centered on the final settlement of a former General Manager, Luyana, following her resignation from Lune Dining. The Claimant sought payment in lieu of accrued but untaken annual leave for the period between 9 April 2020 and 31 July 2020, as well as payment in lieu of public holidays…
INDIRA LLC v INGRAM LLC [2017] SCT 334 — Misrepresentation and the burden of inducement in commercial leasing (29 January 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that a claim for misrepresentation fails where a party admits they would have entered into the contract regardless of the alleged misleading conduct.
OLIA v ONAWA [2025] DIFC SCT 333 — Permission to appeal granted for procedural irregularity (06 November 2025)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal grants permission to appeal a dismissal judgment, citing a failure to investigate claims of harassment and victimisation in an employment dispute.
IMAN v INSUAF [2018] DIFC SCT 332 — Small Claims Tribunal orders refund for uninhabitable office unit (22 November 2018)
The dispute centered on a failed tenancy arrangement for an office unit within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Claimant, Iman, sought to recover funds paid to the Defendant, Insuaf, after being unable to utilize the premises for her business operations.
Nilib v Nerom [2023] DIFC SCT 331 — jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (10 January 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict necessity of a jurisdictional nexus or an express opt-in clause for claims involving non-DIFC entities.
Lerdan Rental v Linana Engineering [2020] DIFC SCT 330 — Contractual liability for equipment rental during COVID-19 (01 November 2020)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of rental invoices for construction equipment provided by the Claimant to the Defendant. Despite the delivery and receipt of the equipment, the Defendant failed to settle the outstanding balance, leading the Claimant to initiate proceedings in the Small…
IDELLA v IGNACIO [2017] SCT 330 — Unpaid rent and eviction order (18 January 2018)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid rent concerning a residential apartment located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Claimant, Idella, initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Ignacio, seeking recovery of outstanding rental payments that had accrued under their…
NATARA v NAUSHAD [2024] DIFC SCT 328 — Employment claim adjudication following defendant insolvency (15 October 2024)
The dispute concerned a total claim of AED 272,191, brought by Natara against her employer, Naushad, following the company's entry into insolvency proceedings. The claimant sought recovery for a variety of employment-related arrears, including unpaid salary for August and September 2024, payment in…
Icarus v Ibbie [2017] SCT 328 — Enforcement of unpaid legal fee invoices (18 January 2018)
The dispute concerned a breach of contract claim brought by the Claimant, a law firm registered in the DIFC, against the Defendant, Ibbie, regarding unpaid professional fees. The relationship was governed by a Letter of Engagement dated 22 May 2016 and the Claimant’s Standard Terms of Business.
LAMONT v LAPIS [2022] DIFC SCT 327 — Employment termination and statutory entitlement adjudication (13 October 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of statutory remedies for unfair dismissal and the calculation of outstanding salary under the DIFC Employment Law.
Luella v Litzy Investments [2020] DIFC SCT 327 — Balancing landlord access rights against tenant quiet enjoyment (19 November 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of landlord access rights under ambiguous lease clauses, establishing a proportionality test for property viewings in the DIFC.
JACENTY v JAFAR MIDDLE EAST [2019] DIFC SCT 326 — Employment entitlement and final settlement reconciliation (29 July 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the methodology for pro-rating annual leave entitlements and confirms the Court’s jurisdiction to conduct independent financial reconciliations of final settlement payments.
IMAMU v IMANI [2017] SCT 325 — Unpaid salary claims in the DIFC beauty sector (25 January 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary requirements for wage claims and the strict limitations on employer deductions under DIFC Employment Law.
Nashir v Naseen [2024] DIFC SCT 323 — Unpaid employment entitlements following corporate insolvency (10 October 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the rights of a long-serving employee to notice pay and statutory entitlements in the face of a defendant’s failure to participate in insolvency-related litigation.