Latest articles
HOLLY INTERNATIONAL v HAMISH MIDDLE EAST [2018] DIFC SCT 276 — Recruitment contract liability and corporate authorization (12 March 2018)
The dispute centered on the recovery of unpaid invoices totaling AED 220,039 for recruitment services provided by Holly International (UAE) Limited to Hamish Middle East. The Claimant alleged that it had fulfilled its obligations by providing sales executives to the Defendant, but the Defendant…
MINTAL v MAFTMAFT [2022] DIFC SCT 274 — jurisdictional contest over contractual assignment (01 August 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of DIFC jurisdiction when contractual rights are novated to foreign entities and the underlying agreements lack an express opt-in clause.
Leekhit v Liladhar [2021] DIFC SCT 274 — Enforcement of tenancy obligations and eviction order (23 December 2021)
The dispute centered on a residential tenancy agreement for a unit located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Leekhit, initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Liladhar, following the latter's failure to meet rental payment obligations and the subsequent expiration of the tenancy contract.
Kalila Products Factory v Kalyani Fz LLC [2018] DIFC SCT 274 — Software implementation dispute and user training obligations (29 September 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden in ERP software disputes, ruling that user familiarity issues do not constitute a breach of contract where the service provider has fulfilled its implementation duties.
LUMSA v LACTIN [2022] DIFC SCT 273 — Employment status and commission-based remuneration (03 October 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limitations of statutory employment protections when an employee transitions to a commission-only, freelance-style remuneration structure.
MIRMI v MESAAB TEHCNOLOGY [2023] DIFC SCT 272 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on recovery of legal fees for share registration (10 October 2023)
The dispute arose from a former employment relationship between the Claimant, Mirmi, and the Defendant, Mesaab Tehcnology Limited. Following the termination of her role as a Commercial Vice President, the Claimant sought to enforce her contractual entitlement to equity stock.
MIRTU v MIWAN [2023] DIFC SCT 271 — Procedural correction of party identity (21 August 2023)
The dispute concerns an employment matter between the Claimant, Mirtu, and the employer, Miwan. Upon filing the Claim Form on 20 July 2023, the Claimant failed to distinguish between the corporate entity and its individual representative.
LINARD v LIUF [2022] DIFC SCT 271 — Tenancy dispute regarding unpaid rent and corporate liability (04 October 2022)
The dispute arose from a commercial tenancy relationship concerning a property unit in the DIFC. The Claimant, Linard, entered into a one-year lease agreement with the First Defendant, a corporate entity, on 29 October 2021.
Laxt v Logti [2022] DIFC SCT 270 — Breach of lease and unauthorized subletting (16 September 2022)
The dispute arose from a residential lease agreement for a unit in the Sky Gardens Building, entered into on 30 October 2021 between the Claimant, Laxt, and the First Defendant, Logti, a holiday home company.
Lodonna v Lachin Fitness [2020] DIFC SCT 270 — Employment termination and contractual supersession (22 October 2020)
The dispute centered on the termination of a fitness instructor’s employment and the subsequent claims for various forms of compensation arising from the cessation of her role. The Claimant, Lodonna, sought a total of AED 121,405, though the Court noted discrepancies in the documentation provided…
Naila v Nakir [2024] DIFC SCT 269 — Contractual liability of the signatory in third-party vehicle bailment (12 September 2024)
The dispute arose from a car rental agreement where the Claimant, Naila, sought recovery for unpaid rental extensions, vehicle damage, and traffic-related penalties. The Claimant alleged that the Defendant, Nakir, remained liable for all costs associated with the vehicle, which had been in the…
NOEL v NAKIA [2023] DIFC SCT 269 — Default judgment for unpaid services (13 May 2024)
The litigation concerns a commercial debt arising from professional services provided by the Claimant to the Defendant during the 2022 calendar year. The Claimant initiated the action to recover an outstanding balance that remained unpaid despite the Defendant’s prior acknowledgment of the debt.
Laasya v Lahaan [2022] DIFC SCT 268 — Brokerage fee recovery for commercial lease procurement (28 September 2022)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid commission arising from a lease brokerage agreement. The Claimant, Laasya, alleged that it had successfully introduced the Defendant, Lahaan, to a commercial property in the Ladessa Tower, which the Defendant subsequently leased by bypassing the broker and…
LILY v LEON RESTAURANT DIFC [2020] DIFC SCT 268 — Invalidity of contractual visa cost recoupment (05 October 2020)
This Small Claims Tribunal judgment clarifies the absolute prohibition against shifting statutory employer costs to employees, affirming that contractual clauses requiring the reimbursement of visa and training fees are void under the DIFC Employment Law.
MUFTO v MEKET [2023] DIFC SCT 267 — Employment dispute regarding visa expenses and statutory entitlements (02 October 2023)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship governed by an agreement dated 5 February 2022. The Claimant, Mufto, sought a total of AED 20,050 from his former employer, Meket, following his resignation on 18 June 2023.
HOLDEN v HATISHA RECRUITMENT [2017] DIFC SCT 267 — Employment termination for cause and counterclaim for fraud (23 November 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden required to justify termination for cause and the subsequent dismissal of counterclaims for alleged financial misconduct in the recruitment sector.
MUDRO v MABAN [2023] DIFC SCT 266 — Judicial refusal of leave to appeal in commercial tenancy dispute (11 December 2023)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s (Mudro) attempt to force a renewal of a retail shop tenancy within the DIFC. Following the expiration of the initial term, the Claimant fell into significant rent arrears.
Morig v Mikir [2023] DIFC SCT 266 — Lease renewal dispute and eviction order (02 November 2023)
The dispute centers on whether a valid lease renewal was formed between the Claimant, Morig, and the Defendant, Mikir, for a property located within the DIFC. The Claimant asserted that a "Renewed Agreement" existed, maintaining the terms of the original 2021 lease with an increased annual rent of…
JIUENA COMMERCIAL BANK v JIDDU [2019] DIFC SCT 266 — SCT jurisdictional limits on multi-product banking claims (31 July 2019)
This judgment clarifies the necessity for distinct jurisdictional opt-in clauses when financial institutions seek to enforce multiple, separate debt products within the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal.
LIHANT v LIQT [2022] DIFC SCT 265 — landlord’s failure to mitigate losses in tenancy disputes (23 December 2022)
The dispute concerned a residential tenancy agreement for an apartment in the DIFC, initiated by a contract dated 18 July 2018. The Claimant, Lihant, sought to recover substantial rental arrears, late renewal fees, and utility charges from the Defendant, Liqt, after the Defendant’s rent cheques…
NEPHELE v NISHANT [2024] DIFC SCT 263 — Employer failure to recover internal training costs (07 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that contractual clauses requiring the repayment of training costs are unenforceable when the training is internal and lacks external verification.
Lulia v Leltin Investment Bank Limited [2019] DIFC SCT 262 — Enforcement of Article 18 penalties despite corporate liquidity issues (28 October 2019)
The dispute concerned the failure of Leltin Investment Bank Limited to settle the final entitlements of its former employee, Lulia, following the termination of his employment. The Claimant initially filed for a smaller sum, but after a failed settlement agreement and the subsequent setting aside…
JACKIE EQUIPMENT RENTAL v JUHI BUILDING CONTRACTING [2019] DIFC SCT 262 — Enforcement of hire agreement jurisdiction clauses in the Small Claims Tribunal (21 January 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding payments for construction machinery supplied under various Hire Agreements. The Claimant, Jackie Equipment Rental, asserted that the Defendant, Juhi Building Contracting, failed to settle five specific invoices issued in April 2017.
HAIMA GROUP MANAGEMENT v HEBER BANK [2017] SCT 262 — Jurisdiction over unauthorised bank guarantee debits (20 December 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that a DIFC-registered entity’s status provides a sufficient jurisdictional gateway to challenge unauthorised banking debits, notwithstanding external jurisdiction clauses.