Latest articles
Luciane v Leon [2020] DIFC SCT 117 — Unpaid service charges and the recoverability of SCT representation fees (28 May 2020)
The dispute centers on a claim for unpaid service charges and associated penalties brought by Luciane, a housing management company, against Leon, the owner of a residential unit within the DIFC.
Flavia v The Fletch Group [2015] DIFC SCT 117 — Enforcement of Settlement and Release Agreements (24 August 2015)
The dispute arose when the Claimant, Flavia, sought additional end-of-service benefits and penalties for late payment from her former employer, The Fletch Group. Flavia contended that her leave entitlement had been miscalculated, arguing that the valuation should have been based on her daily wage…
JAMARU GROUP HOLDING v JASMINE [2019] DIFC SCT 116 — Piercing the corporate veil in employment disputes (26 June 2019)
The Claimant, Jamaru Group Holding, initiated proceedings against its former employee, Jasmine, seeking the reimbursement of AED 105,000. The company alleged that this sum, paid to the Defendant on 26 April 2018, constituted an advance on housing allowance and other employment-related benefits.
NEVA v NATALIE [2024] DIFC SCT 115 — Enforceability of fixed-fee legal service agreements (14 June 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that law firms are entitled to retain fees under a fixed-rate engagement agreement where contractual obligations have been performed, notwithstanding a client's unilateral withdrawal due to escalating costs.
LENTINA v LINT [2021] DIFC SCT 115 — Contractual termination and third-party liability in marketing services (14 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of "no-cause" termination clauses and the limits of vicarious liability for third-party entities in a cross-border marketing services dispute.
Ifrah v Ibhan [2018] DIFC SCT 113 — Employment salary dispute and loan set-off (24 April 2018)
The dispute centered on the termination of the Claimant, Ifrah, by the Defendant, Ibhan LLC, on 30 October 2017. The Claimant initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking her final month’s salary, statutory penalties for late payment, and the return of personal property and visa…
HEDWIG PROPERTIES v HAYNES [2017] DIFC SCT 113 — Agency fee recovery following tenant circumvention (21 June 2017)
The dispute centered on an AED 8,000 agency fee, representing 5% of the annual rent for a unit in the DIFC. The Claimant, Hedwig Properties, alleged that it had performed all necessary services to secure the lease for the First Defendant, Haynes, including arranging viewings, negotiating the rent,…
NAIMA v NADINE [2024] DIFC SCT 112 — Enforceability of digital membership commitments (13 May 2024)
The dispute centered on an outstanding balance for a professional networking membership provided by the Claimant, Naima. The Claimant alleged that the Defendant, Nadine, entered into a binding one-year membership agreement starting in September 2023, which offered the flexibility of either an…
JAAL BANK v JASA [2019] DIFC SCT 112 — Personal liability for corporate-funded loans (19 June 2019)
The Claimant, Jaal Bank (PJSC), initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Jasa, to recover funds arising from a personal finance agreement. The dispute centered on the Defendant’s failure to maintain repayment installments following a 2018 loan restructuring.
Nelson v Nicolyne [2024] DIFC SCT 111 — Refusal of permission to appeal in property management fee dispute (05 August 2024)
The dispute originated from a property management arrangement concerning an apartment owned by Ms Nicolyne. The Claimant, Nelson, sought to recover a fee of AED 15,000, asserting that he had successfully performed services related to the management and lease renewal of the property.
Nelson v Nicolyne [2024] DIFC SCT 111 — Property management service fee dispute (15 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the scope of agent authority, ruling that property managers cannot unilaterally bind owners to tenancy terms without explicit approval of material financial conditions.
LAMAR v LUINE [2022] DIFC SCT 108 — Employment dispute regarding salary, gratuity, and equity entitlements (24 May 2022)
The dispute centered on the termination of an employment relationship between Lamar (the Claimant) and Luine (the Defendant), a company registered within the DIFC. Following his resignation on 24 February 2022, which the Claimant attributed to breaches of contract regarding unpaid salary and a lack…
Naadira v Navtej [2024] DIFC SCT 107 — Employment probation termination rights (16 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limitations of DIFC employment protections, confirming that the DIFC Employment Law provides no remedy for claims of unfair or arbitrary dismissal, even when termination occurs shortly before the conclusion of a probationary period.
Madesh v Muhura [2022] DIFC SCT 107 — Corporate veil and employment liability (14 June 2022)
The Claimant initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Muhura, seeking recovery for alleged unpaid employment benefits. The dispute centered on the assertion that despite the formal employment contract being held by a third-party entity, Milinas, the Claimant was effectively an employee of the…
THE LIUDEN LLC v LENNA [2020] DIFC SCT 107 — Breach of construction agreement and notice requirements (20 August 2020)
The litigation centered on a contractual disagreement arising from a renovation project for a private villa. The Liuden LLC, a construction firm, was engaged by Lenna to perform renovation works, which were subsequently expanded by the Defendant during the project's lifecycle.
NORMANDIE v NORVAL [2024] DIFC SCT 105 — Refusal of cross-applications for permission to appeal (12 July 2024)
The litigation centers on the Claimant’s failure to satisfy a prior judgment debt in a timely manner and the subsequent penalties imposed by the Small Claims Tribunal. The underlying dispute, often referred to as the "first claim," resulted in an award of approximately AED 163,000 to the Defendant…
Harlow v Hattie [2017] DIFC SCT 105 — Tenancy security deposit dispute (13 June 2017)
The dispute centered on the Defendant’s unilateral decision to withhold a portion of the Claimant’s security deposit following the conclusion of a tenancy agreement for a unit within the DIFC.
LAHAR v LAKSHIN RESTAURANT & BAR [2021] DIFC SCT 104 — Dismissal of appeal for procedural non-compliance (15 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the necessity of strict adherence to appellate procedural rules and the application of current legislation in employment disputes.
FIDELMA v FIRUZ [2014] DIFC SCT 102 — Employment termination and gratuity entitlements (23 February 2015)
The dispute arose following the summary termination of the Claimant, Fidelma, by her employer, Firuz, after approximately four months of service in a restaurant setting. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid wages and statutory benefits, asserting that her dismissal was wrongful and that she…
Fidelma v Firuz [2014] DIFC SCT 102 — Employment termination and gratuity dispute (09 February 2015)
The dispute arose from the summary termination of the Claimant, Fidelma, by her employer, Firuz, a restaurant operator within the DIFC. Following approximately four months of service, the Claimant was terminated on 18 December 2014.
OANA v ONYX [2025] DIFC SCT 101 — Permission to appeal service charge dispute (14 August 2025)
The dispute centers on the Defendant’s (Onyx) refusal to pay service charges for a retail unit, which the Defendant justified by citing a breach of the underlying agreement. Specifically, Onyx contended that the sealing of an access door—which provided public access from Omega to Ozzy—rendered the…
Isaiah Trading v Imelia [2018] DIFC SCT 101 — jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Tribunal (12 April 2018)
This judgment clarifies the strict application of jurisdictional gateways in the Small Claims Tribunal, confirming that the DIFC Courts cannot adjudicate disputes lacking any nexus to the Centre absent a clear, written opt-in agreement.
FIRAT v FIRUZ [2014] DIFC SCT 101 — Employment termination and gratuity entitlements (09 February 2015)
The dispute arose following the summary termination of the Claimant, Firat, who had been employed as restaurant staff by the Defendant, Firuz, for approximately four months. Upon her dismissal on 18 December 2014, the Claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary for November and December, along with…
Feriha v Fereydoon [2014] DIFC SCT 100 — The limits of cost recovery in the Small Claims Tribunal (30 April 2015)
The dispute originated from the Claimant’s role as the management entity for a building, tasked with collecting service charges from unit owners. The Defendant, a unit owner, had initially failed to pay service charges amounting to AED 49,890.98.