Latest articles
Mursahi v Morib [2023] DIFC SCT 349 — Immigration services fee dispute and misrepresentation claim (17 November 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the scope of contractual duties for immigration service providers, ruling that failure to disclose broader living requirements or costs does not constitute actionable misrepresentation.
Gauge Investments v Ganelle Capital [2016] DIFC ARB 003: The Arbitrability of Regulatory Breaches in the DIFC
Justice Sir Richard Field clarifies the boundary between DFSA regulatory oversight and private contractual arbitration.
MAFALDA v MAHAKIN [2021] DIFC SCT 349 — Permission to appeal granted on jurisdictional grounds (08 June 2022)
The dispute centers on an employment-related share offer contained in an offer letter dated 19 August 2021. The Claimant, Mafalda, sought to enforce a promise of 5,750 ordinary shares in the Third Defendant, which was purportedly offered by the Second Defendant as part of a remuneration package.
LAGLE v LALITA [2021] DIFC SCT 349 — Jurisdictional limits of parent company liability in employment disputes (19 April 2022)
The Claimant, Lagle, initiated proceedings in the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal seeking the final settlement of employment rights. The dispute involved a complex corporate structure comprising three entities: the First Defendant (Lalita), a DIFC-registered entity; the Second Defendant (Lakyle), a…
Jacinta v Jack Event Management [2018] DIFC SCT 349 — Enforcement of a defaulted settlement agreement in the Small Claims Tribunal (06 January 2019)
The dispute originated from an employment relationship that soured due to the financial instability of the defendant company. The claimant, Jacinta, was hired as a manager in 2012, but the company’s subsequent financial difficulties led to a request for financial assistance from its employee.
MONA FZ v MEUN [2020] DIFC SCT 348 — Enforceability of deemed approval clauses in affiliate marketing agreements (13 December 2020)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding payments for software services provided under an affiliate marketing arrangement. The Claimant, a software company, sought to recover funds it alleged were owed for transactions processed through its system.
Jaako v Jacey [2018] DIFC SCT 348 — Unpaid rent and eviction order (06 January 2019)
The dispute arose from a commercial tenancy agreement concerning a retail store located within the DIFC. The parties had entered into a three-year lease agreement in 2015, which stipulated an annual rent of AED 125,000.
MUSTOHI v MURIP [2023] DIFC SCT 347 — Employment payment dispute and record-keeping obligations (17 November 2023)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship governed by an agreement dated 12 September 2022, though the claimant had been working for the respondent since February 2021. The claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary, vacation leave, public holiday pay, and overtime compensation.
JABRIL v JULIET (U.K.) LIMITED [2019] DIFC SCT 347 — Discretionary commission payments and Article 18 penalties (24 January 2019)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that his employer, Juliet (U.K.) Limited, failed to pay a 2017 commission payment in a timely manner following his termination on 30 May 2018.
MINIAN v MIBAD INVESTMENTS [2020] DIFC SCT 346 — Enforceability of invoice payment timelines and opt-in jurisdiction (14 February 2021)
The dispute concerns a claim for unpaid legal fees arising from an Engagement Agreement dated 17 December 2017. The Claimant, a law firm, provided extensive legal services to the Defendant, a real estate developer, specifically regarding the development of the "Misar Residences" project.
IGASHO v IGRAINE ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING [2017] DIFC SCT 346 — Dispute over outsourced service provider fees (20 March 2018)
The litigation centered on a contractual disagreement following the Claimant’s transition from an employee to an outsourced service provider. The Claimant sought payment for work performed on three specific client projects, with the primary contention involving the client Ikale LTD.
LIMONE v LIVAT [2022] DIFC SCT 342 — Jurisdictional autonomy in DIFC tenancy disputes (18 October 2022)
The dispute centered on the expiration of a tenancy contract for a unit located within the Dubai International Financial Centre. The Claimant, Limone, sought a judicial order compelling the Defendant, Livat, to vacate the premises upon the contract's expiry on 30 November 2022.
JOSEY v JEROME [2019] DIFC SCT 342 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid final settlement and Article 18 penalties (12 September 2019)
The dispute originated from the termination of the Claimant, Josey, by his employer, Jerome, on 25 June 2019. Following his dismissal, the Claimant initiated proceedings in the SCT seeking various unpaid entitlements, including service charges, tips, overtime, annual leave, public holidays, and air…
MATIAS v MYA [2021] DIFC SCT 340 — Breach of tenancy contract and assessment of damages (28 January 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of contractual penalty clauses and the calculation of damages for landlord-led termination of a tenancy agreement.
INKIE v IVINK INVESTMENT LIMITED [2018] DIFC SCT 340 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on security deposit deductions (24 December 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary weight of unilateral property inspections and the threshold for 'wear and tear' regarding functional appliances in DIFC tenancy disputes.
MERTINA v MIFUP [2023] DIFC SCT 339 — Proactive judicial management of misjoined parties (29 November 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal demonstrates its commitment to procedural efficiency by exercising its own-initiative powers to rectify party misjoinder in a dispute involving a self-represented litigant.
Maya v Micah [2021] DIFC SCT 338 — jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Tribunal (01 February 2022)
The litigation arose from a commercial disagreement concerning unpaid sums allegedly owed under a purchase order dated 31 December 2020. The Claimant, a Sharjah-based entity, sought to recover AED 239,454 from two Dubai-based companies, Micah and Malachi.
IZYK v INEKA [2018] DIFC SCT 338 — Exclusive jurisdiction over DIFC real property (27 November 2018)
The dispute arose from a residential tenancy agreement concerning property located within the DIFC. The Claimants, Izyk and Izzie, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking damages for breach of contract and late payment fees totaling AED 106,220.
LUFATH v LICT [2022] DIFC SCT 337 — Mandatory employment obligations and resignation for cause (18 October 2022)
The dispute originated from the Claimant’s resignation as Managing Director of Lict, a DIFC-registered entity, following a ten-month tenure. The Claimant alleged that the Defendant’s failure to provide a written employment contract, a DIFC-sponsored visa, and mandatory health insurance constituted…
MAITHALI v MITHUN [2020] DIFC SCT 337 — Res judicata and abuse of process in the Small Claims Tribunal (22 December 2020)
The dispute originated from a commercial agreement for the provision and installation of sound equipment at a restaurant venue. The Claimant, Maithali, sought to recover a significant deposit previously paid to the Defendant, Mithun, for services that were ultimately stalled due to operational…
HARIPA v HARPITH FZ [2017] DIFC SCT 337 — Binding effect of informal commission confirmations (07 February 2018)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s entitlement to commission payments for the 2017 financial year despite her failure to meet the specific sales targets outlined in her employment contract.
MARIF v METHUR [2023] DIFC SCT 335 — Jurisdictional boundaries for Part 9 Employment Law claims (28 October 2023)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Marif, and his former employer, Methur. The Claimant initiated proceedings seeking damages totaling AED 456,000, alleging that he had been subjected to victimisation and discrimination during his tenure.
JAYDEN FINANCIAL SERVICES v JOSI’S RESTAURANT & COFFEE SHOP [2019] DIFC SCT 335 — Tenancy arrears and third-party liability (07 February 2019)
The dispute centered on a claim for AED 240,318.22 in alleged rent arrears and VAT, arising from a three-year tenancy agreement signed on 21 January 2016. The Claimant, Jayden Financial Services, contended that the Defendant, Josi’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop, had failed to settle rent for the period…
LAKSHA v LAILESH’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE LLC DUBAI [2020] DIFC SCT 226 — COVID-19 emergency measures and housing allowance claims (06 September 2020)
The litigation originated from a broader employment dispute involving claims for unpaid salary, food allowance, and pending tips, totaling AED 18,000. However, the scope of the claim narrowed significantly by the time the matter reached the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT).