Latest articles
LOCHAN v LAGNI [2022] DIFC SCT 312 — Enforcement of educational service contracts and deposit forfeiture (29 September 2022)
The dispute arose from a contractual disagreement between Lochan (the Claimant) and Lagni Arumugam (the Defendant) concerning the enrollment of the Defendant in a three-week makeup course.
LAZARO v LIMON [2020] DIFC SCT 312 — Permission to appeal granted regarding the characterization of warehousing service contracts (08 November 2021)
The underlying dispute concerns the legal classification of an agreement between the Claimant, Lazaro, and the Respondent, Limon. The core of the controversy rests on whether the arrangement between the parties constitutes a lease—which would typically necessitate an Ejari registration—or a service…
LUKTINA v LINKA INTERNATIONAL [2020] DIFC SCT 312 — jurisdictional challenge regarding real property (08 November 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that contractual "opt-in" clauses cannot confer jurisdiction upon the DIFC Courts for disputes involving real property located outside the DIFC.
Iokua v The Indu Group [2018] DIFC SCT 312 — Employment salary shortfall and Article 18 penalty adjudication (13 November 2018)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship that soured shortly after the Claimant, Iokua, was hired as Chief Financial Officer. Following his termination on 16 July 2018, Iokua initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking a total of AED 320,000.
LAXMAN v LAJITTI [2021] DIFC SCT 311 — Employment record-keeping obligations and wage recovery (29 December 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden on employers to maintain consistent payroll and leave records under the DIFC Employment Law, ruling that failure to do so results in the court favoring the claimant’s substantiated salary demands.
ILANA v IVEY GROUP [2018] DIFC SCT 311 — Implied acceptance of salary variations (29 November 2018)
The dispute centered on a total claim of AED 54,472, arising from alleged unlawful salary deductions and unpaid notice-period entitlements. The Claimant, who had been employed by the restaurant operator since 2009, contended that a 20% salary reduction implemented by the employer in 2015 was never…
NAQAASH v NASIK [2024] DIFC SCT 309 — Recovery of salary advance and company property (01 October 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s attempt to recover a financial advance and physical assets provided to the Defendant during his tenure as a marketing and business development professional.
MUSOB v MAKANI [2023] DIFC SCT 309 — SCT dismissal for lack of jurisdiction (21 November 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict necessity of a physical nexus or an express opt-in clause for DIFC Court jurisdiction in investment disputes.
Maddox v Miguel [2021] DIFC SCT 309 — Contractual supremacy of amended agreements (01 February 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the hierarchy of competing contractual instruments, ruling that an amended agreement, once acknowledged by the counterparty, supersedes earlier iterations and dictates the conditions precedent for professional fee recovery.
ITALO LLC v IDELL CONSTRUCTION LLC [2018] DIFC SCT 309 — Enforcement of contractual opt-in jurisdiction for unpaid construction invoices (20 November 2018)
The dispute centered on a series of unpaid invoices arising from a commercial arrangement for the supply of construction machinery. Italo LLC, the Claimant, provided equipment to Idell Construction LLC, the Defendant, under specific hire agreements that stipulated 30-day credit terms.
Nadia v Nabhan [2024] DIFC SCT 308 — Relief from sanctions and permission to appeal in employment disputes (24 October 2024)
The litigation centers on a claim for unpaid end of service benefits following the termination of the Claimant’s employment as Managing Director. The Claimant, Nadia, initiated proceedings against her former employer, Nabhan, seeking a total of AED 277,334.72.
Nadia v Nabhan [2024] DIFC SCT 308 — Employment gratuity and CPI adjustment dispute (29 August 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that her employer, Nabhan, had significantly underpaid her terminal benefits following the termination of her employment. The Claimant alleged that the Defendant had unilaterally reduced her pre-DEWS gratuity and monthly DEWS contributions during her…
MUROT v MAHUB [2023] DIFC SCT 308 — Dismissal of appeal for failure to meet procedural filing deadlines (22 November 2023)
The dispute originated from a consumer-style claim filed by Murot against Mahub on 21 August 2023. The Claimant sought a refund for goods that were allegedly purchased but never delivered.
Nashwa v Nashtar [2024] DIFC SCT 307 — Validity of lease renewal after attempted revocation (11 September 2024)
The dispute arose from a change in ownership of a residential unit within the DIFC. The Claimant, Nashwa, had been a tenant under an agreement originally signed with a previous landlord, Nasreen.
Luwait v Liste [2022] DIFC SCT 305 — Breach of contract and conditional waiver of invoices (14 November 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of conditional waivers and the evidentiary burden required to dispute service performance in public relations contracts.
Midin v Mipul [2023] DIFC SCT 302 — Enforcement of recruitment service agreements (17 October 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the strict enforceability of recruitment fee payment schedules, ruling that a candidate’s signed acceptance of an offer triggers an immediate payment obligation regardless of subsequent employment disputes.
Ludoni v Laun Café And Restaurant [2020] DIFC SCT 301 — Employment termination and visa cost recovery (01 November 2020)
This Small Claims Tribunal judgment clarifies the strict prohibition against employers recouping visa-related expenses from employees under DIFC Employment Law, regardless of contractual stipulations or performance disputes.
KAIF CONTRACTING v KALYANI GROUP [2019] DIFC SCT 300 — Breach of contract and security cheque retention (29 September 2019)
The dispute arose from a commercial agreement for "Brig Beach profiling" services provided by Kaif Contracting to Kalyani Group. The Claimant asserted that it had fully performed its contractual obligations, completing the project and handing it over on 15 December 2018.
NUREEN v NIKIR [2023] DIFC SCT 298 — Breach of Letter of Intent and refund obligations (12 January 2024)
The dispute centered on a failed share purchase transaction initiated by a Letter of Intent (LOI) dated 7 April 2022. The Claimant, Nureen, sought to acquire a 50% stake in the First Defendant, Nikir, from the Second Defendant, Niplu, for a total consideration of AED 4,000,000.
Liv Limited v Landry [2020] DIFC SCT 298 — Enforcement of investment subscription monies following failure to satisfy conditions precedent (22 November 2020)
The dispute centered on a Shareholder’s Agreement dated 4 April 2019, under which the Claimant, Liv Limited, agreed to invest EUR 50,000 into the Second Defendant, Larissa Group FZ-LLC.
Haleigh v Habiba (Middle East) Ltd [2017] SCT 298 — Employment termination and the absence of unfair dismissal claims (27 November 2017)
This judgment clarifies the limits of the Small Claims Tribunal’s jurisdiction regarding employment termination, affirming that DIFC law does not recognize the common law concept of "unfair dismissal."
NAIMAH v NABIL [2024] DIFC SCT 296 — Judicial determination of discretionary commission entitlements (24 October 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that she was entitled to a 1% commission on net profits for the final quarter of her employment, spanning 1 October 2023 to 13 November 2023.
MITHOF v MAHAAD [2023] DIFC SCT 296 — Invalidating late rent increase notices (25 October 2023)
The dispute centered on the validity of a rent hike proposed by the landlord, Mahaad, for a residential unit located within the DIFC. The tenant, Mithof, challenged the landlord's attempt to increase the annual rent from AED 40,000 to AED 65,000, arguing that the notification provided did not…
OLEXA v ODON [2025] DIFC SCT 295 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding discretionary employment payments (10 December 2025)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he was entitled to four months of additional salary following his resignation from Odon. The Claimant, Olexa, argued that he had entered into a binding agreement with the Respondent, Odon, to receive these funds as an incentive to resign,…