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HOLDEN v HATISHA RECRUITMENT [2017] DIFC SCT 267 — Employment termination for cause and counterclaim for fraud (23 November 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden required to justify termination for cause and the subsequent dismissal of counterclaims for alleged financial misconduct in the recruitment sector.
MUDRO v MABAN [2023] DIFC SCT 266 — Judicial refusal of leave to appeal in commercial tenancy dispute (11 December 2023)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s (Mudro) attempt to force a renewal of a retail shop tenancy within the DIFC. Following the expiration of the initial term, the Claimant fell into significant rent arrears.
Morig v Mikir [2023] DIFC SCT 266 — Lease renewal dispute and eviction order (02 November 2023)
The dispute centers on whether a valid lease renewal was formed between the Claimant, Morig, and the Defendant, Mikir, for a property located within the DIFC. The Claimant asserted that a "Renewed Agreement" existed, maintaining the terms of the original 2021 lease with an increased annual rent of…
JIUENA COMMERCIAL BANK v JIDDU [2019] DIFC SCT 266 — SCT jurisdictional limits on multi-product banking claims (31 July 2019)
This judgment clarifies the necessity for distinct jurisdictional opt-in clauses when financial institutions seek to enforce multiple, separate debt products within the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal.
LIHANT v LIQT [2022] DIFC SCT 265 — landlord’s failure to mitigate losses in tenancy disputes (23 December 2022)
The dispute concerned a residential tenancy agreement for an apartment in the DIFC, initiated by a contract dated 18 July 2018. The Claimant, Lihant, sought to recover substantial rental arrears, late renewal fees, and utility charges from the Defendant, Liqt, after the Defendant’s rent cheques…
NEPHELE v NISHANT [2024] DIFC SCT 263 — Employer failure to recover internal training costs (07 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that contractual clauses requiring the repayment of training costs are unenforceable when the training is internal and lacks external verification.
Lulia v Leltin Investment Bank Limited [2019] DIFC SCT 262 — Enforcement of Article 18 penalties despite corporate liquidity issues (28 October 2019)
The dispute concerned the failure of Leltin Investment Bank Limited to settle the final entitlements of its former employee, Lulia, following the termination of his employment. The Claimant initially filed for a smaller sum, but after a failed settlement agreement and the subsequent setting aside…
JACKIE EQUIPMENT RENTAL v JUHI BUILDING CONTRACTING [2019] DIFC SCT 262 — Enforcement of hire agreement jurisdiction clauses in the Small Claims Tribunal (21 January 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding payments for construction machinery supplied under various Hire Agreements. The Claimant, Jackie Equipment Rental, asserted that the Defendant, Juhi Building Contracting, failed to settle five specific invoices issued in April 2017.
HAIMA GROUP MANAGEMENT v HEBER BANK [2017] SCT 262 — Jurisdiction over unauthorised bank guarantee debits (20 December 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that a DIFC-registered entity’s status provides a sufficient jurisdictional gateway to challenge unauthorised banking debits, notwithstanding external jurisdiction clauses.
MUHAANI v MEWTIN [2023] DIFC SCT 261 — Affirming contractual jurisdiction for non-DIFC entities (29 August 2023)
The dispute arose from a commercial equipment supply contract between Muhaani (the Claimant) and Mewtin (the Defendant). The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid invoices totaling AED 21,912.53, which were issued following the supply of a boom lift and low-level access equipment.
LACT v LOUTIV [2022] DIFC SCT 259 — Employment leave entitlement and unauthorized absence disputes (15 September 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden regarding employee leave records and the recoverability of salary paid for unauthorized absences under the DIFC Employment Law.
Ouida v Oksanna [2024] DIFC SCT 256 — Refusal of permission to appeal (24 June 2025)
The Claimant, Ouida, sought to overturn a decision by H.E. Justice Maha Al Mheiri, which had dismissed his claims for relief arising from his alleged use of the Defendant’s financial services.
NAJJAR v NAZIRA [2024] DIFC SCT 256 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding DIFC establishment status (08 November 2024)
The dispute arises from the Claimant’s engagement with the Defendant’s digital payment services, which he accessed under the impression that the Defendant was a fully licensed and regulated DIFC entity.
Mivte v Madie [2022] DIFC SCT 255 — Employment termination for cause and notice period entitlement (29 July 2022)
The dispute centers on the Claimant’s entitlement to payment in lieu of notice following her summary dismissal by the Defendant. The Claimant, Mivte, sought compensation equivalent to 60 days of her salary, asserting that her termination was not supported by valid grounds under her employment…
MIRKU v MIFIT [2023] DIFC SCT 254 — Jurisdiction over DIFC-registered entities (25 August 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that the status of a defendant as a DIFC-registered entity provides a sufficient jurisdictional gateway under the Judicial Authority Law, regardless of the absence of an express forum selection clause.
MARVIN LLC v MALIK LLC [2022] DIFC SCT 25 — Implied acceptance of jurisdiction clauses (31 August 2022)
The dispute centered on a commercial disagreement regarding unpaid invoices arising from a hire agreement for construction and oilfield equipment. The Claimant, a Dubai-based supplier of rental equipment, sought to recover outstanding payments for services rendered to the Defendant, a…
IMTIHAL v INGABORG [2018] DIFC SCT 254 — jurisdictional dismissal of employment claim (30 October 2018)
The claimant, Imtihal, initiated proceedings against three defendants—Ingaborg, Inorak Equity Holdings Ltd, and Inorak Fund Investments (DIFC) Limited—seeking recovery of unpaid salary and employment entitlements.
Kader v Kachina [2019] DIFC SCT 251 — Strict application of Article 18(2) employment penalties (23 September 2019)
The dispute arose from the termination of the Claimant, who served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Defendant, a private equity firm registered in the DIFC. The Claimant alleged that he was dismissed without notice or warning and was denied his final month’s salary of AED 50,000.
LEON v LEXIE [2020] DIFC SCT 250 — Tenancy notice period and security deposit liability (29 September 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that rent negotiations do not constitute formal notice to vacate, affirming a landlord’s right to claim the full contractual notice period.
JEZEBEL v JIE [2019] DIFC SCT 250 — Employment termination and final settlement validity (27 June 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the binding nature of signed final settlement agreements in the DIFC, dismissing claims for additional salary and gratuity where the employee failed to substantiate allegations of coercion.
MOHAR v MRUT [2022] DIFC SCT 249 — Apportioning joint venture liability for unpaid construction equipment rentals (22 June 2023)
The dispute arose from a breach of contract claim initiated by the Claimant, Mohar, against the Defendant, Mrut, regarding unpaid invoices for the rental of construction equipment. The Claimant, a Sharjah-based entity, sought to recover the total outstanding balance for equipment hired by the…
Iantha v Inigo Capital Partners [2018] DIFC SCT 247 — Employment benefits and statutory penalty enforcement (14 October 2018)
The dispute arose following the resignation of Iantha, a Finance Director, from Inigo Capital Partners. Upon the termination of her employment on 31 May 2018, the parties failed to reach an agreement regarding the final settlement of her end-of-service benefits.
MIRUBIN v MR. MISKAT AND MS. MAISIN [2023] DIFC SCT 246 — Enforcement of lease expiry and overstay rent (18 August 2023)
The dispute centered on the expiration of a residential tenancy agreement and the subsequent refusal of the tenants to vacate the property. The Claimant, Mr. Mirubin, sought to recover possession of his unit following the end of the contractual term on 30 June 2023.
MITBA v MEWAT [2023] DIFC SCT 243 — Employment dispute regarding unlimited leave policies and procedural requirements for penalty claims (08 September 2023)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship between the Claimant, a former partner, and the Defendant, a legal services firm. The Claimant alleged that his initial offer letter dated 8 November 2020 failed to specify an annual leave entitlement, leading him to believe he was entitled to a…