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Luwait v Liste [2022] DIFC SCT 305 — Breach of contract and conditional waiver of invoices (14 November 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of conditional waivers and the evidentiary burden required to dispute service performance in public relations contracts.
Midin v Mipul [2023] DIFC SCT 302 — Enforcement of recruitment service agreements (17 October 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the strict enforceability of recruitment fee payment schedules, ruling that a candidate’s signed acceptance of an offer triggers an immediate payment obligation regardless of subsequent employment disputes.
Ludoni v Laun Café And Restaurant [2020] DIFC SCT 301 — Employment termination and visa cost recovery (01 November 2020)
This Small Claims Tribunal judgment clarifies the strict prohibition against employers recouping visa-related expenses from employees under DIFC Employment Law, regardless of contractual stipulations or performance disputes.
KAIF CONTRACTING v KALYANI GROUP [2019] DIFC SCT 300 — Breach of contract and security cheque retention (29 September 2019)
The dispute arose from a commercial agreement for "Brig Beach profiling" services provided by Kaif Contracting to Kalyani Group. The Claimant asserted that it had fully performed its contractual obligations, completing the project and handing it over on 15 December 2018.
NUREEN v NIKIR [2023] DIFC SCT 298 — Breach of Letter of Intent and refund obligations (12 January 2024)
The dispute centered on a failed share purchase transaction initiated by a Letter of Intent (LOI) dated 7 April 2022. The Claimant, Nureen, sought to acquire a 50% stake in the First Defendant, Nikir, from the Second Defendant, Niplu, for a total consideration of AED 4,000,000.
Liv Limited v Landry [2020] DIFC SCT 298 — Enforcement of investment subscription monies following failure to satisfy conditions precedent (22 November 2020)
The dispute centered on a Shareholder’s Agreement dated 4 April 2019, under which the Claimant, Liv Limited, agreed to invest EUR 50,000 into the Second Defendant, Larissa Group FZ-LLC.
Haleigh v Habiba (Middle East) Ltd [2017] SCT 298 — Employment termination and the absence of unfair dismissal claims (27 November 2017)
This judgment clarifies the limits of the Small Claims Tribunal’s jurisdiction regarding employment termination, affirming that DIFC law does not recognize the common law concept of "unfair dismissal."
NAIMAH v NABIL [2024] DIFC SCT 296 — Judicial determination of discretionary commission entitlements (24 October 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that she was entitled to a 1% commission on net profits for the final quarter of her employment, spanning 1 October 2023 to 13 November 2023.
MITHOF v MAHAAD [2023] DIFC SCT 296 — Invalidating late rent increase notices (25 October 2023)
The dispute centered on the validity of a rent hike proposed by the landlord, Mahaad, for a residential unit located within the DIFC. The tenant, Mithof, challenged the landlord's attempt to increase the annual rent from AED 40,000 to AED 65,000, arguing that the notification provided did not…
OLEXA v ODON [2025] DIFC SCT 295 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding discretionary employment payments (10 December 2025)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he was entitled to four months of additional salary following his resignation from Odon. The Claimant, Olexa, argued that he had entered into a binding agreement with the Respondent, Odon, to receive these funds as an incentive to resign,…
Ismene v Irayna Hair Beauty Salon [2018] DIFC SCT 295 — Employment dispute over salary deductions and visa cancellation (09 October 2018)
The Claimant, Ismene, initiated proceedings against his employer, Irayna Hair Beauty Salon, following his resignation on 2 September 2018. The dispute centered on a series of financial grievances and a request for the formal cancellation of his employment visa.
LUFTU v LITERI [2022] DIFC SCT 294 — Enforceability of discretionary tip policies in the DIFC (26 September 2022)
This judgment clarifies the extent to which employers in the DIFC may rely on internal policies to restrict discretionary payments, such as tips, when an employee resigns before a specified tenure threshold.
LICFT v LASUT [2022] DIFC SCT 293 — Construction payment dispute and expert evidence (01 November 2022)
The dispute centered on a construction contract for the supply and application of corten steel imitation paint finish for an Expo 2020 project. The Claimant, Licft, sought recovery of AED 147,903, representing the balance of the contract value and additional variation works, after accounting for an…
Maher v Mahesh [2023] DIFC SCT 292 — Employment claim for unpaid wages and leave (22 December 2023)
The dispute concerned a claim for unpaid remuneration and benefits arising from the termination of an employment relationship that commenced on 21 July 2020. The Claimant, Maher, alleged that despite her promotion to the role of waitress in September 2020 and a subsequent salary increase to AED…
LAYTON v LEIGHTON [2020] DIFC SCT 292 — Enforcement of revenue share incentives and statutory penalties (28 September 2020)
The dispute centered on the calculation and payment of a performance-based incentive for the 2019 calendar year. The Claimant, Layton, asserted that he was entitled to a total revenue share incentive of USD 219,437.57 based on his performance as a Senior Relationship Manager.
Loft v Licki [2022] DIFC SCT 291 — Enforcement of lease obligations and eviction of a non-compliant tenant (05 October 2022)
The dispute arose from a residential lease agreement for a unit within the DIFC, where the tenant, Licki, failed to settle the final rental instalment and associated service charges.
LEXI v LACEY [2020] DIFC SCT 291 — Employment entitlement dispute and unlawful salary deductions (07 October 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the primacy of DIFC Employment Law over federal regulations and restricts an employer’s ability to unilaterally enforce salary deductions.
Leelans v Lontas [2022] DIFC SCT 290 — Landlord liability for maintenance failures (03 October 2022)
The dispute arose from a residential tenancy in the DIFC where the landlord, Leelans, sought to recover costs for alleged damages to the premises following the expiry of a one-year lease.
LUKYINI MIDDLE EAST FZ v LISTIYANA [2020] DIFC SCT 290 — Contractual interpretation of recruitment fees (25 October 2020)
This judgment clarifies the distinction between guaranteed salary and commission-based remuneration in recruitment contracts, emphasizing that the substance of a compensation package overrides the labels applied by parties when calculating placement fees.
IDETA EQUIPMENT RENTAL v IVKA CONTRACTING CO [2018] DIFC SCT 289 — Exclusive jurisdiction of the Special Court Committee (14 October 2018)
This judgment clarifies the primacy of specialized Dubai judicial committees over the DIFC Courts’ jurisdiction, confirming that a Decree-mandated tribunal supersedes contractual forum selection clauses.
NAUFIL v NAWAZ [2024] DIFC SCT 288 — Employment dispute over visa overstay fines and termination entitlements (19 August 2024)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship between Naufil (the Claimant) and Nawaz (the Defendant), a restaurant operating within the DIFC. Following the Claimant’s termination for alleged misconduct, she initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal seeking a variety of payments,…
IGORA FILTERS AND PURIFICATION DEVICES TRADING v IGAN MIDDLE EAST FZC [2018] DIFC SCT 287 — Dismissal for lack of jurisdiction due to arbitration agreement (29 November 2018)
The dispute centered on an Exclusive Sales Agency Agreement entered into by the parties on 30 January 2018, concerning the development and sale of water purification technology. Following the termination of the agreement by the Defendant, the Claimant initiated proceedings in the SCT, alleging that…
HARVEY GENERAL TRADING v HUXLEY ENTERTAINMENT [2017] DIFC SCT 286 — Jurisdiction over DIFC-registered entities (23 November 2017)
The litigation centers on a commercial debt recovery action initiated by the Claimant, Harvey General Trading, against the Respondent, Huxley Entertainment. The Claimant alleges that it is entitled to payment for food supplies provided under various invoices.
MAPIK v MESIL [2023] DIFC SCT 285 — Employment dispute regarding salary arrears and termination notice (28 November 2023)
The dispute arose from an employment agreement dated 28 December 2019, under which the Claimant, Mapik, was employed by the Defendant, Mesil. The core of the litigation involved claims for unpaid salary differentials, notice period pay, and end-of-service gratuity.