Latest articles
Harbin Legal Consultancy v Hanika Association Services [2017] SCT 189 — Unpaid legal fees and the burden of proof in the Small Claims Tribunal (17 December 2017)
This judgment clarifies the evidentiary requirements for legal service providers seeking to recover fees under a retainer agreement and underscores the necessity of proving actual loss when mounting a counterclaim for professional negligence.
LEROY v LORETTA AND LANEN [2020] DIFC SCT 188 — Tenancy termination and maintenance liability (21 July 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the financial consequences of early tenancy termination and the evidentiary burden for property damage claims in the DIFC.
MARIANO v MAGEDAL LTD AND MAGEDRA [2023] DIFC SCT 187 — Enforcement of rental arrears and eviction under DIFC Leasing Law (28 July 2023)
The dispute concerned a commercial lease agreement for a unit located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Mariano, initiated proceedings against the First Defendant, Magedal Ltd, as the tenant, and the Second Defendant, Magedra, as the guarantor, following a persistent failure to meet monthly rental…
HARRIET ASSOCIATES v HARM ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES CO [2017] DIFC SCT 187 — Transfer of proceedings to the Court of First Instance (20 August 2017)
The dispute between Harriet Associates Limited and Harm Engineering Industries Co. LLC, registered under case number SCT 187/2017, originated as a claim filed within the Small Claims Tribunal.
Lajvati v Lankesh [2021] DIFC SCT 186 — Breach of warranty and leakage claims in share purchase agreements (05 October 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for warranty claims and the necessity of proving seller knowledge in post-completion disputes arising from Share Purchase Agreements.
LEROY FZE v LENNY LLC [2022] DIFC SCT 184 — The limits of the "opt-in" jurisdiction (18 August 2022)
The dispute arose from a commercial relationship between Leroy FZE, a company registered in Sharjah, and Lenny LLC, a company registered in Abu Dhabi. The Claimant sought to recover unpaid sums allegedly owed by the Defendant under a purchase order dated 22 October 2017.
Ginny v Graeme Consulting Service DIFC [2016] DIFC SCT 184 — Employment dispute over unpaid salary and visa processing delays (15 December 2016)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship governed by an Amended Employment Contract dated 1 March 2016. The Claimant, Ginny, sought compensation for three distinct items: unpaid salary from 1 April 2016 to 27 June 2016, damages for the Defendant’s failure to process his employment visa,…
Mopun v Mikita [2023] DIFC SCT 183 — Employment termination during extended probation (05 July 2023)
The dispute arose from the termination of the Claimant, Mopun, who served as a General Manager for Strategy and Business Development at the Defendant, Mikita. Following her summary dismissal on 21 February 2023, the Claimant initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking…
LOTTIE v LARA [2020] DIFC SCT 183 — Enforcement of equipment hire invoices (24 September 2020)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of invoices arising from three separate equipment hire agreements executed between the parties in the latter half of 2019. Lottie Ltd, the Claimant, alleged that it had fully performed its contractual obligations by delivering the equipment, which the…
IPSHITA COMMERCIAL BANK v IFFAT [2018] DIFC SCT 183 — Debt recovery enforcement for personal loan arrears (29 June 2018)
The lawsuit concerned the recovery of an outstanding personal loan balance initiated by Ipshita Commercial Bank (PJSC) against the defendant, Iffat. The dispute arose from a written agreement signed on 5 June 2017, under which the bank provided a loan of AED 330,000.
Muprit v Maruit Restaurant and Lounge DIFC [2023] DIFC SCT 182 — Employment liability for unpaid wages and visa costs (07 July 2023)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s employment as a waiter, during which he alleged a systemic failure by the Defendant to remunerate him for services rendered and to cover mandatory employment costs.
Lenox (Sharjah) Ltd v Lela International [2020] DIFC SCT 182 — Enforcement of admitted contractual debt (06 August 2020)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of invoices issued under a hire agreement for industrial equipment. The Claimant, Lenox (Sharjah) Ltd, alleged that it had fulfilled its obligations by supplying various generators to the Defendant, Lela International, pursuant to a contract dated 16 January…
MEKET v MLAT [2023] DIFC SCT 180 — Lawful lease termination and eviction for non-payment of Turnover Rent (06 July 2023)
The dispute arose from the immediate termination of a lease agreement by the Defendant, Mlat, which resulted in the eviction of the Claimant, Meket, from its premises in the DIFC. The Claimant alleged that the eviction was wrongful and sought compensation for lost revenue and storage costs incurred…
IZZET v IVORY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT [2018] DIFC SCT 179 — Employment termination and end-of-service entitlement dispute (04 July 2018)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that Ivory Capital Management failed to honor contractual obligations following his resignation. Izzet, a Senior Portfolio Manager, alleged that after he submitted his resignation on 21 December 2017, the Defendant attempted to avoid paying his…
LUNACY CONSULTANCY LUDON v LIUNY [2020] DIFC SCT 178 — Recruitment fee dispute and the limits of implied contractual obligations (07 July 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that recruitment agencies bear no implied duty to provide replacement candidates or guarantee candidate conduct absent explicit contractual provisions, reinforcing the primacy of the written agreement in service-based contracts.
MIRET v MUSTO [2023] DIFC SCT 177 — SCT permission to appeal and the limits of judicial intervention in payment plans (13 October 2023)
The dispute arose following a judgment by H.E. Justice Nassir Al Nasser on 14 July 2023, which ordered the First Defendant, Musto, to pay the Claimant, Miret, a specific sum. Musto sought permission to appeal this decision, not on the basis that the financial liability was incorrect, but rather on…
LANDIN v LAKHAN [2020] DIFC SCT 177 — Enforcement of legal service agreements and the limits of SCT jurisdiction (29 July 2020)
The jurisdictional foundation of this case was established early in the proceedings following an attempt by the Defendants to challenge the SCT’s authority to hear the matter. The Claimant, a law firm, sought to recover unpaid legal fees, and the Defendants filed an acknowledgment of service…
Mrutio v Maqit Restaurant [2023] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment termination for cause and the recovery of recruitment costs (25 August 2023)
The dispute centered on a series of claims and counterclaims arising from the termination of the Claimant, Mrutio, who served as a 'Host' at Maqit Restaurant from May 2022 until April 2023.
LAYAT v LENDI HOLDING [2020] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment notice period obligations during COVID-19 (16 July 2020)
The dispute originated from the termination of the Claimant’s employment on 12 May 2020. Initially, the Claimant filed a claim in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) for a total of AED 62,332.14, covering unpaid salary, expenses, annual leave, and a three-month notice period.
IKHLAS COMMERCIAL BANK v IDREES [2018] DIFC SCT 176 — Debt recovery and the necessity of formal counterclaims (20 June 2018)
The dispute centered on the recovery of an outstanding personal loan balance following the Defendant’s default. The parties had entered into a written agreement on 5 January 2016, under which the Claimant provided a loan of AED 325,000 to be repaid in 48 monthly installments of AED 8,002.
HALBERT v HELENTJEE [2017] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment benefit entitlement post-termination (28 September 2017)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he was entitled to post-employment benefits despite his tenure as a Senior Executive Officer having concluded on 18 June 2017. Following his placement on garden leave, the Claimant sought to recover what he termed "Outstanding Amounts,"…
IGETE COMMERCIAL BANK v IFETA [2018] DIFC SCT 175 — Default judgment for loan arrears following failure to attend hearing (21 June 2018)
This judgment clarifies the Small Claims Tribunal’s procedural latitude in granting default relief when a defendant fails to comply with court directions or attend scheduled hearings.
NISAN v NEYSA [2024] DIFC SCT 174 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding marketplace seller agreements (18 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the primacy of specific Business Service Agreements over general consumer terms in determining the appropriate forum for marketplace disputes.
NOAH v NORVAL [2024] DIFC SCT 173 — Employment entitlements during probation (02 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that probation periods do not preclude the pro-rated accrual of annual leave, while reinforcing the strict one-year service threshold for end-of-service gratuity payments under DIFC law.