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IMAN v INSUAF [2018] DIFC SCT 332 — Small Claims Tribunal orders refund for uninhabitable office unit (22 November 2018)
The dispute centered on a failed tenancy arrangement for an office unit within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Claimant, Iman, sought to recover funds paid to the Defendant, Insuaf, after being unable to utilize the premises for her business operations.
Nilib v Nerom [2023] DIFC SCT 331 — jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (10 January 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict necessity of a jurisdictional nexus or an express opt-in clause for claims involving non-DIFC entities.
Lerdan Rental v Linana Engineering [2020] DIFC SCT 330 — Contractual liability for equipment rental during COVID-19 (01 November 2020)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of rental invoices for construction equipment provided by the Claimant to the Defendant. Despite the delivery and receipt of the equipment, the Defendant failed to settle the outstanding balance, leading the Claimant to initiate proceedings in the Small…
IDELLA v IGNACIO [2017] SCT 330 — Unpaid rent and eviction order (18 January 2018)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid rent concerning a residential apartment located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Claimant, Idella, initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Ignacio, seeking recovery of outstanding rental payments that had accrued under their…
NATARA v NAUSHAD [2024] DIFC SCT 328 — Employment claim adjudication following defendant insolvency (15 October 2024)
The dispute concerned a total claim of AED 272,191, brought by Natara against her employer, Naushad, following the company's entry into insolvency proceedings. The claimant sought recovery for a variety of employment-related arrears, including unpaid salary for August and September 2024, payment in…
Icarus v Ibbie [2017] SCT 328 — Enforcement of unpaid legal fee invoices (18 January 2018)
The dispute concerned a breach of contract claim brought by the Claimant, a law firm registered in the DIFC, against the Defendant, Ibbie, regarding unpaid professional fees. The relationship was governed by a Letter of Engagement dated 22 May 2016 and the Claimant’s Standard Terms of Business.
LAMONT v LAPIS [2022] DIFC SCT 327 — Employment termination and statutory entitlement adjudication (13 October 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of statutory remedies for unfair dismissal and the calculation of outstanding salary under the DIFC Employment Law.
Luella v Litzy Investments [2020] DIFC SCT 327 — Balancing landlord access rights against tenant quiet enjoyment (19 November 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of landlord access rights under ambiguous lease clauses, establishing a proportionality test for property viewings in the DIFC.
JACENTY v JAFAR MIDDLE EAST [2019] DIFC SCT 326 — Employment entitlement and final settlement reconciliation (29 July 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the methodology for pro-rating annual leave entitlements and confirms the Court’s jurisdiction to conduct independent financial reconciliations of final settlement payments.
IMAMU v IMANI [2017] SCT 325 — Unpaid salary claims in the DIFC beauty sector (25 January 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary requirements for wage claims and the strict limitations on employer deductions under DIFC Employment Law.
Nashir v Naseen [2024] DIFC SCT 323 — Unpaid employment entitlements following corporate insolvency (10 October 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the rights of a long-serving employee to notice pay and statutory entitlements in the face of a defendant’s failure to participate in insolvency-related litigation.
LICIA v LIESMA [2022] DIFC SCT 322 — Employment probation and notice period compliance (12 October 2022)
The dispute arose following the termination of the Claimant, Licia, from her position as a Legal Secretary in the Insurance Department of the Defendant, Liesma. Licia alleged that her dismissal was wrongful and sought significant financial compensation, initially including a claim for parking fees…
Likhil v Lakshin [2021] DIFC SCT 322 — Enforceability of conditional promissory notes and commission claims (28 December 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict application of performance-based repayment clauses in promissory notes and the necessity of meeting underlying fundraising targets to trigger commission entitlements.
NUFUN v NOLAN [2023] DIFC SCT 321 — Refusal of permission to appeal employment benefits award (25 December 2023)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reinforces the high threshold for appellate intervention in Small Claims Tribunal employment disputes, affirming that the absence of employer record-keeping cannot be used to defeat statutory employee entitlements.
MUSAQI v MERABS [2023] DIFC SCT 321 — Employment entitlement recovery and statutory penalty enforcement (24 November 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of Article 19 penalties and mandatory DEWS contributions in the context of a DIFC business closure.
Mako v Mali [2023] DIFC SCT 320 — Permission to appeal refused for employment salary dispute (25 December 2023)
The DIFC Court of First Instance confirms the high threshold for appealing Small Claims Tribunal decisions, ruling that a consultancy fee dispute lacked a real prospect of success.
NIRVED v NEHA [2024] DIFC SCT 319 — Correcting misidentified parties in SCT employment claims (17 September 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the procedural necessity of naming the correct corporate entity as a defendant in employment disputes to ensure the validity of claims.
LILYMAE v LAIBA [2021] DIFC SCT 319 — Permission to appeal granted regarding MEP work assessment (02 March 2022)
The underlying dispute in this matter concerns a construction-related claim, specifically involving the execution and valuation of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) works. Following an initial judgment issued on 18 February 2022, the Claimant, Lilymae, sought to challenge the findings of…
Mafalda v Magee [2021] DIFC SCT 319 — Liability for water damage and limits on alternative accommodation costs (18 February 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that landlords cannot shift liability for property damage to tenants when maintenance negligence is the root cause, while simultaneously capping reimbursement for alternative housing at the pro-rata rental value of the original unit.
LUVYA v LOMASH [2021] DIFC SCT 318 — Non-payment of freight invoices and the limits of informal set-off (19 December 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that claims for damages arising from separate operational disputes cannot be used as an informal set-off against undisputed debts under a credit agreement.
Lexi Consulting v Layton [2019] DIFC SCT 318 — Breach of contract and partial performance in hospitality consultancy (18 February 2020)
The dispute arose from a consultancy agreement signed on 20 June 2018, under which Lexi Consulting was engaged to facilitate the development and opening of a board-game themed café. The Claimant initially sought payment for alleged outstanding fees and a "Project Termination Fee," while the…
IBIZA v IMRE LIMITED [2018] DIFC SCT 318 — Employment dispute over unpaid dues and statutory penalties (25 November 2018)
The dispute originated from the termination of the Claimant’s employment as a "Senior Manager Corporate Advisory" at Imre Limited. Upon filing his claim in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT), the Claimant sought a total of AED 452,204.00, encompassing a broad range of outstanding financial…
LISANA FZ LLE v LUKNA ADVERTISING LLC [2020] DIFC SCT 317 — Breach of contract and unpaid retainer fees (08 November 2020)
The dispute arose from a Public Relations Agreement entered into by the parties on 3 November 2019. The Claimant, Lisana Fz Lle, alleged that the Defendant, Lukna Advertising Llc, failed to settle invoices for services rendered during the period spanning the end of February and the beginning of…
JAAKO LEGAL CONSULTANCY v JORDY [2019] DIFC SCT 316 — Enforcement of legal service engagement letters (21 February 2019)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid legal fees, interest, and administrative charges arising from an Engagement Letter signed on 19 September 2017. The Claimant, Jaako Legal Consultancy FZE, alleged that it performed significant legal work for the Defendant, Jordy, and his business partner,…