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LOTTER v LETRI [2021] DIFC SCT 034 — SCT dismissal for lack of jurisdictional nexus (15 March 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict application of jurisdictional gateways for non-DIFC entities in the absence of an express opt-in clause.
HACKETT v HANIA [2017] DIFC SCT 034 — jurisdictional limits on real property disputes (29 March 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that contractual "opt-in" clauses cannot override mandatory jurisdictional rules regarding real property located outside the DIFC Free Zone.
Linsi v Limda Brokers [2020] DIFC SCT 033 — Employment settlement invalidity and commission recovery (19 May 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict statutory requirements for settlement agreements under the DIFC Employment Law, ruling that a failure to ensure independent legal advice renders a waiver of claims unenforceable.
MUBRU v MORUDMORUD [2023] DIFC SCT 031 — Enforcement of unpaid employment entitlements following corporate mismanagement (17 March 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the liability of a DIFC-registered entity to satisfy outstanding employment dues, notwithstanding internal corporate governance failures and allegations of financial mismanagement by company leadership.
Madrid v Maeko [2021] DIFC SCT 031 — Ambiguity in employment benefit forfeiture clauses (25 February 2021)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s demand for unpaid employment benefits following the conclusion of his tenure with the Defendant, a hotel operator based in the DIFC. The Claimant sought a total of AED 2,500, comprising two distinct heads of claim: a flight ticket encashment benefit and an…
JAINAB CONSTRUCTION v JURIEL CONCEPTS INVESTMENT [2019] DIFC SCT 031 — Enforcement of fit-out contract payments (08 April 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the procedural requirements for invoking warranty clauses in construction disputes, ruling that a client cannot withhold payment or claim damages for defects without first granting the contractor a reasonable opportunity to remedy the work.
NEMI v NESSIM [2024] DIFC SCT 030 — Dismissal of employment claims due to statutory limitation (03 May 2024)
The Claimant, Nemi, initiated proceedings against his former employer, Nessim, seeking a total of AED 27,993.60 in unpaid end-of-service benefits. The dispute arose following the Claimant's resignation, with the Claimant asserting that he had completed one year of service, thereby qualifying for…
MARUT v MOSTAR [2023] DIFC SCT 030 — Refusal of permission to appeal in employment salary and reputation dispute (15 May 2023)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the limits of appellate review for Small Claims Tribunal decisions, affirming that loss of reputation claims are not compensable under DIFC employment law.
MIKLY v MITRO [2023] DIFC SCT 030 — Employer’s failure to substantiate breach of contract claims (30 March 2023)
The dispute originated from an employment relationship governed by an agreement dated 3 March 2022. The Claimant, an employer registered in the DIFC, initiated legal action against the Defendant, a former employee, alleging that the Defendant had breached the terms of her employment through poor…
MERINA v MARWAN [2021] DIFC SCT 030 — Jurisdiction challenge regarding LPO arbitration clauses (01 March 2021)
The dispute centered on a commercial disagreement between a supplier of construction equipment and two contracting entities. The Claimant, Merina, sought recovery of funds allegedly owed for the rental of manlift machines provided to the Defendants, Marwan and Marald.
Efron v Efua [2014] DIFC SCT 030 — Contractual expense reimbursement and res judicata (22 June 2014)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of res judicata and the enforceability of pre-contractual expenses under a formal engagement letter.
Mintil v Mester [2023] DIFC SCT 029 — Employment penalty and administrative fine jurisdiction (16 February 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of judicial authority regarding administrative fines under the DIFC Employment Law and reinforces the necessity of strict evidentiary standards for employment-related damages.
Mubin v Mikrun [2023] DIFC SCT 027 — Employment entitlement dispute following restaurant closure (08 March 2023)
The dispute centers on the employment relationship between Mubin (the Claimant) and Mikrun (the Defendant), a restaurant operator registered within the DIFC. Following the closure of the Defendant’s restaurant by the Dubai Police on 18 January 2023, the Claimant sought to recover a comprehensive…
IBIDUN v IDHANT [2018] DIFC SCT 027 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (29 May 2018)
The dispute centered on a personal loan agreement originally executed in 2007 between the Claimant, a bank, and the Defendant, a Pakistani national. The Claimant sought to recover a balance that had remained dormant for nearly a decade after the Defendant ceased making payments in 2009.
Fergus v Fidelity [2015] DIFC SCT 027 — Enforcing contractual visa cancellation obligations (06 April 2015)
The dispute centered on the failure of the Defendant, Fidelity, to honor a Mutual Termination and Release Agreement signed on 31 December 2014. The Claimants, Fergus and Ferit, had resigned from their respective positions as a business consultant and an administrator.
NOVA v NORRIS [2024] DIFC SCT 025 — Employment entitlement dispute and SCT jurisdictional limits (01 April 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of the AED 500,000 jurisdictional cap in employment disputes and the evidentiary requirements for recovering accrued annual leave and business expenses.
MARTEN v MARIKKA [2023] DIFC SCT 025 — Uncontested employment termination entitlements (17 March 2023)
The dispute concerns the recovery of unpaid employment entitlements following the summary termination of the Claimant, who served as a Social Media Executive. The Claimant sought a total of AED 25,231.98, comprising unpaid salary for December 2022, notice period pay, end-of-service gratuity, and…
LEMMA v LANCHO [2022] DIFC SCT 025 — Tenancy security deposit dispute (22 March 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden on tenants to prove property condition at the commencement of a lease when seeking the return of a security deposit.
Zander v Zora [2019] DIFC SCT 025 — landlord liability for pre-existing property defects (21 February 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden on landlords seeking to deduct maintenance costs from security deposits when tenants have provided documented notice of pre-existing property damage.
LISTON v LAET [2022] DIFC SCT 024 — Landlord’s failure to provide notice of non-renewal does not trigger automatic lease extension (16 March 2022)
The dispute concerned a residential lease for an apartment within the DIFC, where the Claimants, Liston and Lafti, sought a court-ordered renewal of their tenancy agreement for an additional year on existing terms.
Licona v Lavin [2021] DIFC SCT 024 — jurisdictional limits on consumer banking claims (05 April 2021)
The Claimant, Licona, initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Lavin, to recover outstanding debts across three distinct financial products: a Personal Loan, a Car Loan Agreement, and a Mastercard credit card. The total amount sought by the bank reached AED 430,973.77.
Latha v Lavni [2022] DIFC SCT 022 — Software development refund dispute (21 March 2022)
The dispute centered on a tri-party agreement dated 30 June 2019, under which the Claimant, Latha, engaged the Defendant, Lavni, and a third party to develop and implement a software program.
IMELDA PSJC v IRA [2018] DIFC SCT 022 — jurisdictional dismissal for lack of DIFC nexus (26 February 2018)
The claimant, Imelda PSJC, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal seeking to recover a total of AED 131,730.74. The underlying cause of action stemmed from an alleged default on a credit card payment and a personal cash loan.
Frances v Flera Bank [2015] DIFC SCT 022 — Termination for gross misconduct and the forfeiture of end-of-service benefits (25 March 2015)
The Claimant, a former Trader Assistant at Flera Bank, initiated proceedings in the SCT seeking a total of USD $42,110.70. This sum comprised claims for end-of-service gratuity, payment in lieu of notice, unpaid salaries for the period following his suspension, and compensation for untaken annual…