Latest articles
Igaliko Financial Services v Ifeta [2018] DIFC SCT 162 — Strategic waiver of claims to secure SCT jurisdiction (13 June 2018)
The dispute concerned a long-term commercial lease agreement for four units (C143, C144, C145, and C146) located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Igaliko Financial Services, asserted that the Defendant, Ifeta, had failed to meet its payment obligations under a contract spanning a ten-year term from…
GERONIMA v GERTIE RESTAURANT [2016] DIFC SCT 162 — Breach of Share Sale and Purchase Agreement and employment claims (13 December 2016)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for proving employment relationships and the enforcement of contractual debts in the absence of payment records.
NICHOLAS v NOLAN [2024] DIFC SCT 161 — Contractual refund disputes in immigration services (19 June 2024)
The dispute arose from a service agreement entered into on 8 December 2022, under which the Claimant, Nicholas, engaged the Defendant, Nolan, to facilitate a UK start-up business visa application. The Claimant paid a total of AED 28,350 for these services.
ONORIA v ORVIL [2025] DIFC SCT 160 — SCT Permission to Appeal Refusal (09 September 2025)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal affirms the high threshold for appellate intervention, underscoring that modern terms and conditions cannot be retroactively applied to legacy commercial agreements without explicit incorporation.
Nathaniel v Nico [2024] DIFC SCT 160 — Employment entitlement recovery and Article 19 penalties (05 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of Article 19 penalties in the context of protracted criminal proceedings and confirms employer obligations regarding end-of-service benefits and visa cancellation.
LIJANI v LUANG RESTAURANT/LANSUR HOUSE HOSPITALITY [2020] DIFC SCT 160 — Jurisdiction over employment disputes involving DIFC-registered entities (10 June 2020)
The dispute originated from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Lijani, and the Defendant, Luang Restaurant/Lansur House Hospitality, a restaurant operating within the DIFC.
Laredo v Luca [2021] DIFC SCT 159 — jurisdictional limits on non-signatories in legal services contracts (12 September 2021)
The Claimant, a law firm, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) to recover unpaid fees for legal services rendered. The dispute centered on an Engagement Letter dated 16 September 2020.
NEVON v NADER [2024] DIFC SCT 158 — Employment termination for cause following resignation (17 July 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s attempt to recover payment in lieu of an eight-week notice period following his summary dismissal. The Claimant, formerly a Premium Client Manager, sought a total of AED 72,000, arguing that his prior resignation—which the Defendant had already…
LATUF v LUFITI [2022] DIFC SCT 158 — Transfer of proceedings due to jurisdictional threshold (28 June 2022)
The litigation centers on a contractual disagreement stemming from a formal separation arrangement. The parties are at odds over the execution and fulfillment of obligations tied to a document signed several years prior to the commencement of the claim.
NADER v NILES [2024] DIFC SCT 156 — Procedural extensions and the prejudice test (11 September 2024)
The dispute centers on the Defendant’s attempt to secure an extension of time to file an application for permission to appeal a prior ruling. Following a jurisdictional hearing, the Court had previously denied the Defendant’s challenge to the Tribunal’s authority to hear the claim.
Nader v Niles [2024] DIFC SCT 156 — jurisdictional challenge and limitation period dispute (06 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of Article 5(A)(1)(b) of the Judicial Authority Law regarding the geographical nexus required for DIFC Court jurisdiction in investment disputes.
LAIRD v LAMIS [2021] DIFC SCT 154 — Employment termination and commission dispute (17 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the absence of arbitrary dismissal principles in the DIFC and reinforces the binding effect of signed settlement declarations in employment disputes.
Luz v Livia [2020] DIFC SCT 154 — Establishing jurisdiction over DIFC-based employment disputes (21 May 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that the DIFC Courts maintain automatic jurisdiction over employment disputes involving DIFC-registered entities, regardless of contractual references to 'Dubai Law' or the misidentification of the employer in the initial claim.
Misti v Mipip [2023] DIFC SCT 153 — Contractual set-off and maintenance obligations in gas supply agreements (18 May 2023)
The dispute arose from the termination of a supply, operation, and maintenance agreement for gas systems at a labour camp. The Claimant, Misti, sought recovery of unpaid royalty and maintenance fees, while the Defendant, Mipip, sought payment for residual gas and various service charges.
Igalico v Inteus Restaurant & Lounge [2018] DIFC SCT 153 — Employment termination and statutory benefit disputes (30 May 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of unfair dismissal claims under DIFC law while enforcing statutory entitlements for salary, vacation, and gratuity.
IASSEN v THE IBERNIA RESTAURANT AND BAR [2018] DIFC SCT 152 — Breach of consultancy agreement and notice period liability (24 May 2018)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of professional fees and the interpretation of a termination clause within a consultancy agreement. Iassen LLC, a consulting firm, sought recovery of unpaid monthly retainer fees for the first quarter of 2018, alongside a claim for notice period compensation…
LUFT v LYNTI [2022] DIFC SCT 151 — Dismissal of appeal regarding jurisdictional gateways for employment claims (10 August 2022)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that procedural rules governing the SCT do not independently confer jurisdiction, reinforcing the necessity of meeting statutory gateways under the Judicial Authority Law.
NASR v NESS [2024] DIFC SCT 150 — Breach of contract and refund of immigration service fees (17 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the professional duty of care owed by immigration service providers regarding the viability of business plans submitted for visa applications.
NAKIA v NIHAL [2024] DIFC SCT 147 — Dispute over immigration service fees and contractual performance (24 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of refund entitlements in immigration consultancy agreements, ruling that service providers are not liable for non-performance where the client fails to meet documentation requirements.
FINIAN v FLORETTA BANK [2015] DIFC SCT 146 — Employment gratuity and late payment penalties (25 August 2015)
The dispute arose following the resignation of the Claimant, Finian, from his position at Floretta Bank. Upon the termination of his employment, the Claimant sought a comprehensive settlement of his end-of-service benefits, which the Defendant refused to pay in full.
Ibleam Advocates and Legal Consultants v Ibolya Real Estate [2018] DIFC SCT 145 — Breach of retainer agreement and liquidated damages enforcement (11 June 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of liquidated damages clauses in legal retainer agreements following the unilateral termination of services by a client.
HALSEY v HALINA DIFC [2016] DIFC SCT 145 — Unpaid salary and Article 18 penalty enforcement (25 January 2017)
The Claimant, Halsey, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking recovery of outstanding remuneration following his resignation from his position as a Senior Manager in Investment Advisory.
LATRELL v LAWAHIZ [2022] DIFC SCT 144 — Jurisdiction via Tax Invoice Opt-in (10 May 2022)
The dispute arose from a commercial transaction involving the supply of diesel generators. The Claimant, Latrell, sought recovery of unpaid invoices totaling over sixty-five thousand dirhams, which it alleged were owed by the Defendant, Lawahiz, following the issuance of a Local Purchase Order…
Isobelle v The Ieaun Restaurant [2018] DIFC SCT 144 — Employment entitlement to accrued annual leave (21 May 2018)
The dispute originated from the resignation of the Claimant, Isobelle, who served as the General Manager for the Defendant, The Ieaun Restaurant. The Claimant resigned on 1 April 2018, citing the non-payment of his salary for February and March 2018.