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HAGEN v HANNIE [2017] DIFC SCT 021 — Enforceability of legal service contracts via email correspondence (28 February 2017)
The dispute arose from a breakdown in the professional relationship between the Claimant, an international law firm, and the Defendant, a former DIFC employee. The Claimant sought payment for legal work performed between 26 July 2016 and 28 July 2016, following initial consultations regarding the…
JAHEN EQUIPMENT COMPANY v JAFNA MARKETING ESTABLISHMENT [2019] DIFC SCT 020 — Enforcement of unpaid invoices under a DIFC-seated jurisdiction clause (29 May 2019)
This judgment clarifies the procedural consequences of a defendant’s failure to attend a Small Claims Tribunal hearing and affirms the enforceability of DIFC jurisdiction clauses in commercial supply agreements.
JIMENA DC DMCC v THE ZAHIR RESTAURANT [2019] DIFC SCT 019 — Unpaid social media service invoices and contract formation (03 March 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that email correspondence and partial performance constitute a binding service agreement, even in the absence of a formal signed contract.
DELORES v DEMIR [2013] DIFC SCT 019 — Tenancy contract expiration and the non-applicability of onshore Dubai rental laws (08 October 2013)
The dispute arose from a residential tenancy agreement concerning a unit located within the Dubai International Financial Centre. The Claimant, Delores, had entered into a contract with the Defendant, Demir, for a 12-month term.
Nach v Nadira [2024] DIFC SCT 018 — Breach of legal services engagement (04 April 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the procedural boundaries of the Rules of the DIFC Courts, confirming that standard default judgment mechanisms are incompatible with the summary nature of SCT proceedings.
Mahina v Mahesa [2022] DIFC SCT 018 — Enforcing contractual snagging procedures and payment obligations (16 February 2022)
The dispute centered on a construction contract for residential renovation works. The Claimant, Mahina, sought to recover an outstanding balance for services rendered, while the Defendant, Mahesa, contested the payment, citing unfinished works and disputes over variation costs.
LOGAN EQUIPMENT RENTAL v LAYDIA DIGITAL [2020] DIFC SCT 018 — Breach of contract for unpaid equipment hire (04 March 2020)
The dispute centers on a claim for unpaid rental fees regarding a 12-meter electric scissor lift (the "Machine"). Logan Equipment Rental (the "Claimant") asserted that they provided a quotation to Laydia Digital (the "Defendant") for the hire of the equipment, which the Defendant accepted.
IHACA v IRUS [2018] DIFC SCT 018 — Jurisdictional limits in banking debt recovery (31 May 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that banking institutions cannot unilaterally invoke DIFC Court jurisdiction for retail debt recovery absent an express, written agreement or a clear nexus to the DIFC.
FARIDOON v FAUSTINA [2015] DIFC SCT 018 — Employment rights during probation (12 March 2015)
The dispute arose from the resignation of Faustina, who was employed as a therapist by the entity represented by Faridoon. Faustina resigned on 9 February 2015, during what was contractually defined as a six-month probationary period.
DELMAN v DELOISE [2013] DIFC SCT 018 — Tenancy expiration and the non-applicability of Dubai real estate law in the DIFC (08 October 2013)
The dispute arose from a disagreement over the expiration of a residential lease and a subsequent demand for a rent increase. The Claimant, as the tenant, sought to challenge the landlord's right to increase the rent and the landlord's failure to provide notice of non-renewal.
LUNA v LINIE INTERNATIONAL [2020] DIFC SCT 017 — Unlawful salary deductions and the timing of Article 19 penalties (18 March 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict limitations on employer-led salary deductions and confirms that Article 19 penalties for late payment of end-of-service entitlements cannot be triggered until the statutory 14-day grace period has elapsed.
FEMKE COMPANY v FELIKS CORPORATION [2015] DIFC SCT 017 — failure to establish contractual privity (24 August 2015)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the necessity of distinct corporate identity and evidence of contractual privity in claims for unpaid consulting fees.
DEB v DECIMUS [2013] DIFC SCT 017 — Employer liability for unauthorized deductions from end-of-service benefits (26 November 2013)
The dispute arose from the termination of an employment relationship between the Claimant, DEB, and the Defendant, DECIMUS. The Claimant sought recovery of outstanding financial benefits following her resignation on 3 September 2013, after having been employed since 1 January 2013.
MADONNA v MAEL INVESTMENTS [2021] DIFC SCT 016 — Employment contract performance conditions and probation (02 March 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of performance-based salary conditions and the mandatory nature of statutory annual leave entitlements during probation periods.
MAHINA v MAHFUZ [2022] DIFC SCT 015 — Employment dues and investment recovery (16 February 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of unpaid salary claims and the right to rescind investment agreements following a fundamental breach of contract in a failed tech start-up venture.
Lenru v Lelan Restaurant [2020] DIFC SCT 015 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on lease arrears and jurisdictional limits (17 May 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the jurisdictional boundaries of the DIFC Courts regarding non-DIFC entities and enforces contractual rent obligations under a commercial lease agreement.
IZABEL v ISHMAEL CONTRACTING [2018] DIFC SCT 015 — Enforcement of unpaid equipment hire invoices (04 April 2018)
The dispute centered on a series of unpaid invoices for the rental of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), specifically boom and scissor lifts, provided by the Claimant to the Defendant for various construction sites in Dubai.
MURNAL v MINDI [2023] DIFC SCT 014 — Proactive judicial intervention in party identification (15 March 2023)
The dispute concerns an employment claim initiated by the Claimant, Murnal, against his former employer. Upon filing the Claim Form on 12 January 2023, the Claimant failed to name the corporate entity as the respondent, instead targeting individuals associated with the company’s management and…
LAKSHAMANA v LAMARIA [2022] DIFC SCT 012 — Strict interpretation of contractual forfeiture clauses (01 April 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the high evidentiary threshold required to trigger penalty clauses in real estate sale agreements, emphasizing that a party’s failure to perform does not automatically equate to a "withdrawal" from the contract.
OMID v ORAH [2025] DIFC SCT 011 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding customs duty liability and rental offsets (22 October 2025)
The dispute originated from a commercial disagreement over the performance of a hire contract for electrical equipment intended for a project in Bahrain. The Claimant, Omid, sought to recover outstanding hire fees and additional costs incurred during the cross-border transit of the equipment.
Eilwyn v Eimear [2014] DIFC SCT 011 — enforcement of beneficiary rights in a property MOU (06 May 2014)
The dispute arose from a real estate transaction involving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 20 November 2013. The Claimant, Eilwyn, acted as a beneficiary under the MOU, which facilitated the sale of the Defendant’s property for a net amount of AED 4,636,000.
NOVIA v NYSA [2024] DIFC SCT 010 — Employer deduction of housing allowance from lump-sum remuneration (02 August 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies that employers cannot unilaterally deduct housing allowances from an employee’s lump-sum salary package simply because the employer provided accommodation, absent an express contractual provision.
NOVIA v NYSA [2024] DIFC SCT 010 — Employer deduction of housing allowance from lump-sum remuneration (10 June 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s resignation from his position at the Defendant company, Nysa, following a period of significant salary arrears. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid wages for October, November, and a portion of December 2023, alongside payment in lieu of accrued vacation…
Idra Residential Body Corporate v Mr Isla & Mrs Inez [2018] DIFC SCT 010 — Enforcement of strata levies and late payment penalties (21 March 2018)
The dispute centered on the recovery of unpaid service charges and levy contributions owed by the Defendants, Mr Isla and Mrs Inez, to the Claimant, the Idra Residential Body Corporate.