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Larue v Lapid [2021] DIFC SCT 173 — Default judgment for unpaid equipment hire invoices (22 August 2021)
The dispute centered on a commercial hire agreement for heavy machinery, specifically boom and scissor lifts, provided by the Claimant, Larue, to the Defendant, Lapid. The agreement spanned the period from December 2020 to April 2021, with payment terms stipulated as 30 days from the date of each…
MURKAN v MUHY [2023] DIFC SCT 172 — Construction payment dispute regarding variation works and delay costs (08 September 2023)
The dispute arose from a construction agreement dated 2 January 2023, under which the Claimant, Murkan, was engaged to perform partial construction works on a private villa project in Dubai.
LADESSA v LAIKE CLINIC [2022] DIFC SCT 172 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of written consent (05 July 2022)
The dispute originated from a commercial disagreement involving a freelance marketer and a medical facility. The Claimant, Ladessa, sought recovery of funds she alleged were owed for services provided to the Defendant, Laike Clinic.
HERA BANK v HERMAN [2017] DIFC SCT 172 — Debt recovery and the enforceability of admitted credit obligations (16 October 2017)
The dispute arose from a breach of a financial agreement, specifically the ‘Hera Smart Loan, Credit Card Application Form’ entered into by the parties on 27 July 2014. Hera Bank (PJSC) sought to recover outstanding balances from the Defendant, Herman, following his failure to maintain monthly…
MARUB v MUQAT [2023] DIFC SCT 171 — Enforcement of payment obligations and eviction for bounced rent cheques (23 June 2023)
The dispute centered on a breach of a residential lease agreement for a property located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Marub, sought to recover arrears resulting from two dishonored rent cheques and requested the immediate eviction of the Defendant, Muqat.
LILIY & LOGAN DMCC v MRS. LEO LUCAS [2020] DIFC SCT 170 — Enforcement of legal service agreements and the limits of SCT jurisdiction (15 October 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of unpaid legal invoices under strict contractual notice periods and confirms the jurisdictional boundaries of the SCT regarding professional conduct counterclaims.
Obasi v Oreana [2025] DIFC SCT 169 — Refusal of permission to appeal in brokerage fee dispute (24 December 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the finality of Small Claims Tribunal judgments, clarifying that disputes over factual findings—such as the effective cause of a real estate introduction—do not meet the threshold for appellate review.
NIGEL v NIKHIL [2024] DIFC SCT 169 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding governing law in employment disputes (06 June 2024)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Nigel, and the Defendant, Nikhil, a company registered and operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre.
NESTOR v NESSIM [2024] DIFC SCT 168 — Employer liability for seconded employees (15 July 2024)
The dispute arose from the Claimant’s resignation and his subsequent demand for unpaid wages, annual leave, and end-of-service benefits. The Claimant, employed as a waiter, alleged that his employer had failed to remit full salary payments over several months, leading to a total claim of AED…
Oberlin v Ovidiu [2026] DIFC ARB 008: The Proportionality Threshold in Arbitration Enforcement Costs
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the court's discretion in awarding costs for successful enforcement applications. On 26 March 2026, H.E.
MIKRU v MAKO [2023] DIFC SCT 168 — Unpaid salary and the limits of compensation for loss of opportunity (26 June 2023)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship initiated on 1 March 2023, where the Claimant, a Head Chef, sought recovery of unpaid wages and damages for career disruption. The Claimant alleged that despite performing duties for the Defendant, he received no remuneration for his first month of…
Laboni v Lahit [2021] DIFC SCT 168 — Employment entitlement disputes and the enforceability of conditional salary agreements (04 July 2021)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship governed by a contract dated 1 June 2020, which deteriorated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Claimant’s inability to relocate to Dubai.
NAPOLEON v NORRIS [2024] DIFC SCT 167 — Enforceability of contractual penalty clauses and evidentiary standards for equipment hire invoices (08 July 2024)
The dispute centered on a series of unpaid invoices arising from a hire contract dated 2 October 2023, under which the Claimant, Napoleon, provided equipment including fuel tanks, diesel, cables, and fire extinguishers.
NAPOLEON v NORRIS [2024] DIFC SCT 167 — Enforceability of jurisdiction clauses via conduct (30 May 2024)
This Small Claims Tribunal ruling confirms that the DIFC Courts may assert jurisdiction over non-DIFC entities where standard terms and conditions are incorporated by conduct, even in the absence of a signed contract for every specific transaction.
Laela v Lapronda [2022] DIFC SCT 167 — Enforceability of post-expiry overstay penalties (14 July 2022)
The dispute arose from a residential lease agreement for a unit located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Laela, sought recovery of outstanding rent, contractual overstay penalties, and utility charges after the Defendant, Lapronda, a holiday home company, continued to occupy the premises following…
Gisselle v Gordon DIFC [2016] DIFC SCT 167 and 169 — Employment wage arrears and the prohibition of recruitment cost recovery (07 November 2016)
The dispute arose following the resignation of the Claimant, Gisselle, from her position as a hostess at Gordon DIFC. The Claimant initiated proceedings to recover unpaid wages for nine days of work and the return of her passport.
Lendro v Mr. Lutis [2020] DIFC SCT 166 — Contractual termination following Covid-19 travel restrictions (23 July 2020)
The dispute centered on a failed real estate transaction for a residential apartment in the DIFC. The Claimant, having entered into a second purchase agreement on 27 February 2020, sought the return of her deposit after the transaction failed to close by the agreed transfer date.
LAELA v LADESSA LUFAK [2022] DIFC SCT 165 — Liability of a head tenant for subtenant overstay (12 July 2022)
The dispute arose from the expiration of a tenancy agreement between the Claimant, Laela, and the First Defendant, Ladessa Lufak, a holiday home company. The Claimant alleged that the First Lease Agreement expired on 16 February 2022, yet the property remained occupied.
HEELA PARTNERS FZE v HYRUM [2017] DIFC SCT 165 — Contractual liability for legal consultancy fees (17 October 2017)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid legal consultancy fees arising from a retainer agreement dated 6 October 2016. Heela Partners FZE, a Fujairah-incorporated consultancy, sought to recover funds for services rendered over several months, which the Defendant, Hyrum, refused to pay, citing…
FLOSSIE v FLEETWOOD [2015] DIFC SCT 165 — Enforceability of strata by-law penalties (12 October 2015)
The dispute centered on a claim brought by the Claimant, a tenant, seeking the recovery of various financial penalties levied against him during his occupancy of a unit managed by the Defendant.
MUFIK v MOHANI [2023] DIFC SCT 164 — Procedural correction of party identity (11 May 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal exercises its inherent case management powers to rectify a misidentification of the Defendant in an employment dispute to ensure procedural accuracy.
Landry v Larg Beauty Centre [2020] DIFC SCT 164 — Forensic scrutiny of employment documentation (28 July 2020)
The dispute centered on a claim for AED 205,866, which the Claimant, Landry, asserted was owed by her former employer, Larg Beauty Centre LLC. The core of the conflict involved unpaid salary arrears from December 2019 through May 2020, alongside claims for the refund of alleged unauthorised…
MOASA v MURIT [2023] DIFC SCT 163 — Fixed-term lease expiry and the limits of judicial intervention (24 May 2023)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that in the absence of a contractual or statutory renewal right, a landlord is entitled to regain possession of a property upon the expiration of a fixed-term lease, even where a tenant has occupied the premises for a decade.
LENNOX v LARYN ENGINEERING [2020] DIFC SCT 162 — Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal over onshore entities (04 June 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that written opt-in clauses in commercial contracts effectively confer jurisdiction upon the DIFC Courts, even when both parties are registered and operate exclusively in onshore Dubai.