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Neda v Natalie [2024] DIFC SCT 062 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid remuneration and Article 19 penalties (16 May 2024)
The dispute arose from the termination of the Claimant’s employment as a hostess at the Defendant’s hospitality establishment. Following her resignation on 21 November 2023, the Claimant ceased attending work on 30 November 2023, citing non-payment of salary.
LARUE v LASHARON [2022] DIFC SCT 062 — Unauthorized sub-tenancy and overstay liability (21 April 2022)
The dispute centered on the First Defendant’s failure to vacate the Premises following the expiration of the First Lease Agreement on 14 December 2021. The Claimant, Larue, sought to recover significant arrears and compensation arising from the First Defendant’s continued occupation and the…
Izaac v Irmina [2018] DIFC SCT 062 — Employer failure to prove misconduct in summary dismissal (03 April 2018)
The dispute centered on the termination of an Account Executive, Izaac, by her employer, Irmina, on 4 January 2018. The Claimant sought a total of AED 36,774, representing her unpaid notice period and end-of-service gratuity.
NANETTE v NEEMA [2024] DIFC SCT 061 — Unilateral rental rate increases and acceptance by performance (15 May 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the threshold for contractual variation in equipment hire agreements, ruling that a party’s continued possession and use of equipment following notice of a rate hike constitutes acceptance of new terms by performance.
LUDHAN BANK v LIONE [2020] DIFC SCT 061 — Enforcement of defaulted personal loan obligations (23 April 2020)
The dispute centered on the recovery of an outstanding balance under a personal loan agreement. Ludhan Bank (PJSC) initiated proceedings against the defendant, Lione, to recover funds that had remained unpaid following a period of regular repayments.
Darius v Daria [2013] DIFC SCT 061 — Employment end-of-service penalty enforcement (05 December 2013)
The dispute arose from the termination of an employment relationship between the Claimant, Darius, and the Defendant, Daria. The Claimant sought recovery of his end-of-service benefits following the conclusion of his contract, which spanned nearly three years.
Largo v Lawahiz [2022] DIFC SCT 060 — Membership agreement dispute regarding security deposit encashment (24 March 2022)
The dispute arose from the Claimant’s attempt to recover funds following the Defendant’s decision to cash a security deposit cheque after a boating accident. The Claimant sought a total of AED 44,000, comprising the return of the AED 10,000 security deposit, the refund of AED 24,000 in membership…
Liliani v Lucid [2021] DIFC SCT 060 — Contractual termination and evidentiary burden (19 April 2021)
The dispute centered on a claim for AED 83,006.49, which the Claimant, Liliani, alleged was outstanding following the termination of a maintenance agreement for a ‘Lista System’. The Claimant argued that the Defendant, Lucid, had improperly terminated the contract, thereby entitling the Claimant to…
MROT v MOPRIT [2023] DIFC SCT 059 — Transfer of complex leasing dispute to Court of First Instance (01 June 2023)
The dispute originated as a standard leasing matter concerning financial obligations under a tenancy agreement. The Claimant, MROT, initiated proceedings in the SCLT to recover outstanding sums, including rent, liquidated damages, and administrative penalties.
LUCIANE v THE LUTERLUTER FITNESS CLUB [2020] DIFC SCT 059 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid dues and fiduciary breach (29 April 2020)
The Claimant, Luciane, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking a total of AED 12,126. This sum represented his claims for accrued but untaken annual leave, overtime pay, and notice period compensation following his termination from The LuterLuter Fitness Club Ltd.
Fawn v Fausto [2015] DIFC SCT 059 — Establishing contractual formation through conduct and the validity of jurisdiction clauses (24 May 2015)
The dispute centered on a series of unpaid invoices for fresh floral arrangements provided by the Claimant, Fawn, to the Defendant, Fausto, between April and July 2014. Despite the Claimant fulfilling its obligations under a quotation proposal dated 9 April 2014, the Defendant failed to settle the…
Niya v Nell [2024] DIFC SCT 058 — Employment contract termination penalty dispute (25 April 2024)
The central dispute in this matter concerned the validity of a contractual provision requiring the Claimant, Niya, to pay an "early termination penalty" of AED 5,000 to her employer, Nell, following her resignation during her probation period.
IFRA v IKSU [2018] DIFC SCT 058 — Employment contract primacy in DIFC small claims (11 April 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that the employment contract filed with the DIFC Government Services Office (GSO) constitutes the definitive agreement between parties, overriding unsubstantiated claims of verbal performance-based arrangements.
FEMI v FINOLA [2015] DIFC SCT 058 — Employment contract variation and salary reduction (22 June 2015)
The dispute centered on the termination of an employment relationship that spanned from 15 January 2014 to 2 April 2015. The Claimant, Femi, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal seeking a comprehensive settlement of end-of-service entitlements, alleging that the employer had failed to…
LANAKILA v LANG [2022] DIFC SCT 057 — enforcing lease arrears and liquidated damages in the Small Claims Tribunal (12 May 2022)
The dispute arose from a commercial real estate arrangement where the Claimant, Lanakila, leased premises to the First Defendant, Lang, a holiday home company, for a one-year term beginning 19 November 2021. The agreement stipulated a total rent of AED 90,000, payable in four installments.
Lakshmi v Lavonna [2022] DIFC SCT 057 — SCT enforcement of lease obligations and liquidated damages (19 April 2022)
The dispute arose from a breach of a one-year lease agreement for a residential unit within the DIFC. The Claimant, Lakshmi, entered into a lease with the First Defendant, Lavonna—a holiday home company—which subsequently sub-leased the premises to the Second Defendant, Lavinia.
FIRENZE LIMITED v FERNAO LLC [2015] DIFC SCT 056 — Contractual performance and settlement finality (26 August 2015)
The dispute arose from a recruitment consultancy agreement entered into on 5 May 2014, under which Firenze Limited sought to recover unpaid invoices totaling AED 131,250. The Claimant asserted that it had fully performed its obligations under the Agency and Client Agreement and that the Defendant…
Noel v Natalia [2024] DIFC SCT 055 — Employment contract breach and unpaid salary dispute (18 April 2024)
The dispute arose from the Claimant’s assertion that he was employed by the Defendant from 3 July 2023 until his summary termination on 4 August 2023. Despite the Defendant’s contention that the employment offer had been retracted prior to the commencement date, the Claimant provided evidence of…
DAKARAI v DALMATIA [2013] DIFC SCT 055 — Employment end-of-service dispute adjudication (05 December 2013)
The dispute arose from the termination of an employment relationship that spanned from April 2012 to August 2013. Following her resignation, the Claimant, Dakarai, sought to recover various financial entitlements she alleged were withheld by her employer, Dalmatia.
Enver v Enrica [2014] DIFC SCT 054 — End of service gratuity and the recoverability of draw against commission (17 September 2014)
The dispute arose from the termination of an employment relationship between a Senior Broker-Bonds, Enver, and his former employer, Enrica, a DIFC-incorporated brokerage firm. Following his resignation, Enver sought payment of his end of service gratuity, which he calculated at USD 9,205.00.
NELLY v NICK [2024] DIFC SCT 053 — Jurisdiction over mainland employment disputes (19 March 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict jurisdictional boundaries of the DIFC Courts, confirming that mainland employment disputes cannot be brought before the DIFC judiciary, even where the employee performed duties within the DIFC perimeter.
LAMIS v LUTHANI [2022] DIFC SCT 053 — Recovery of advance commission payments (30 March 2022)
The dispute centered on the characterization of monthly payments made by the Claimant, Lamis, to the Defendant, Luthani, during the course of his employment. The Claimant asserted that these payments, totaling USD 241,666.86 over several years, were intended as "advances" against future…
Najjar v Nashir [2024] DIFC SCT 052 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on unpaid salary claims (10 September 2024)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid salary brought by an Assistant General Manager against his employer, a restaurant operating within the DIFC. The Claimant asserted that despite his ongoing employment, the Defendant failed to meet its contractual payment obligations, leading to significant…
NOEL v NORBERT [2024] DIFC SCT 051 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding unpaid service fees (11 July 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that service agreements containing 'pay-regardless-of-completion' clauses are strictly enforceable, dismissing an attempt to appeal a judgment for USD 31,926.24.