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ORPHIA v ORREL [2025] DIFC CFI 133 — Refusal of permission to appeal SCT judgment (08 September 2025)
The litigation originated as an employment-related claim brought by Orphia against Orrel, which resulted in a comprehensive dismissal of the Claimant’s case and a successful counterclaim by the Defendant.
LASZLO v LAZUSI SOLUTIONS [2020] DIFC SCT 133 — Unsubstantiated salary reduction claims in employment disputes (28 July 2020)
The dispute concerned the termination of an employment relationship between the Claimant, Laszlo, and the Defendant, Lazusi Solutions Limited, which operated within the DIFC. The Claimant sought recovery of unpaid salary, payment in lieu of accrued annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity…
Genisis v Griame LLC [2016] DIFC SCT 131 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid salary and visa cancellation (16 November 2016)
The dispute originated when the Claimant, Genisis, filed a claim against Griame LLC for unpaid salary and the cancellation of her employment visa. The Defendant initially sought to avoid the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts, arguing that the matter was not properly before the Small Claims Tribunal.
LEUFA v LUCAE PIPING COMPANY [2020] DIFC SCT 130 — Default judgment for unpaid equipment hire invoices (08 July 2020)
The dispute originated from a commercial equipment rental arrangement between Leufa LLC (the Claimant) and Lucae Piping Company WLL (the Defendant). The Claimant sought recovery of outstanding payments for the rental of a 40m lift provided to the Defendant’s site in Dubai between April and August…
MR HARVEY v MR HIDEKI [2016] DIFC SCT 129 — Validating opt-in jurisdiction for share purchase disputes (23 November 2017)
The dispute arose from a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) dated 19 September 2014, under which the Claimants agreed to sell their entire share capital in "Hayleigh Limited" to the Defendant and a third party.
LIBERTY v LANCE REAL ESTATE BROKER [2020] DIFC SCT 128 — Covid-19 frustration and deposit restitution (18 June 2020)
The dispute centered on the failed sale of a residential apartment located in the DIFC. The Claimant, Liberty, entered into a "Second Agreement" on 27 February 2020 to purchase the property from eight siblings (the Sellers).
LALITRAJ v LAJWATI RESTAURANT [2021] DIFC SCT 127 — Small Claims Tribunal employment dispute regarding unpaid wages and statutory entitlements (23 June 2021)
The Claimant, a former bartender, initiated proceedings against his employer, Lajwati Restaurant, following his resignation on 25 March 2021. The dispute centered on a series of unpaid financial obligations spanning his tenure from November 2019 to his final working day on 10 June 2021.
HAROLD v HAVA [2017] DIFC SCT 127 — jurisdictional limits of the Small Claims Tribunal (22 June 2017)
The dispute arose from a series of credit facilities provided by the Claimant, Harold PJSC, to the Defendant, Hava. The Claimant sought to recover outstanding debts totaling AED 292,776.73, comprising a personal loan and two separate credit card accounts.
NORMAND v NATHANIEL [2024] DIFC SCT 125 — Permission to appeal granted on privity of contract (24 September 2024)
Justice Rene Le Miere grants permission to appeal an SCT judgment, identifying potential errors in law regarding corporate personality and the enforcement of contractual debts by non-parties to a Concession Agreement.
NORMAND v NATHANIEL [2024] DIFC SCT 125 — Enforceability of settlement agreements and contractual privity (15 August 2024)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding concession fees arising from a travel and tourism office space occupied by the Defendant, Nathaniel, within a hotel property. The Claimant, Normand, asserted its right to these funds as the owner of the entity "Naeem," which had previously been…
MERTIN v MIKHA [2023] DIFC SCT 125 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (27 April 2023)
The dispute concerned a civil claim initiated by an individual based in the United Kingdom against a defendant residing in Dubai. The Claimant sought recovery of a relatively small sum, alleging that the Defendant owed him money.
NATALIE v NOLA [2024] DIFC SCT 124 — Enforceability of opt-in jurisdiction clauses in the absence of a territorial nexus (25 April 2024)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid professional fees arising from an engagement agreement. The Claimant, a corporate entity, sought to recover outstanding balances for services rendered to the Defendant, an individual. The total amount in controversy was AED 53,901.
Jemy v Jemon [2016] DIFC SCT 124 — Employment gratuity and leave entitlement dispute (09 November 2016)
The lawsuit originated from a disagreement over the final financial settlement due to the Claimant, a strength and conditioning coach, following his resignation from Jemon, a gym located within the DIFC.
NALANI v NIKHOLAI [2024] DIFC SCT 122 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding lease termination rights (17 July 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that consistent late payment of rent, even if eventually settled, triggers a landlord’s right to terminate under specific contractual provisions.
NALANI v NIKHOLAI AND NILES [2024] DIFC SCT 122 — Termination of commercial lease for persistent rent arrears (26 June 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the landlord’s right to terminate a restaurant lease agreement following the tenant’s failure to adhere to strict payment timelines, resulting in an eviction order and a monetary judgment for outstanding rent.
LABACA v LANDI [2021] DIFC SCT 121 — Tenancy dispute over maintenance and early lease termination (02 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for tenants seeking early lease termination due to alleged maintenance failures under the DIFC Leasing Law.
Nalani v Narciso [2024] DIFC SCT 120 — Employment entitlement dispute regarding visa sponsorship status (17 May 2024)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s request for unpaid salary, notice period pay, and accrued vacation leave following his termination on 11 March 2024. The Claimant, Nalani, sought a total of AED 18,125, comprising one month’s salary (AED 7,250), one month’s notice pay (AED 7,250), and 15 days…
Lyric v Lucian [2022] DIFC SCT 120 — enforcement of early termination penalties in residential leasing (27 May 2022)
The dispute centered on a claim for damages arising from the premature cancellation of a residential lease for an apartment in the DIFC. The Claimant, Lyric, sought a total of AED 23,500 from the Defendant, Lucian, following the Defendant's decision to terminate the tenancy before the agreed-upon…
LIBBY v LEON [2021] DIFC SCT 120 — Strict adherence to SCT procedural timelines for setting aside default orders (15 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the mandatory nature of the seven-day limitation period for setting aside default orders and the dual-burden test required for successful applications.
IARA & COMPANY v IBEN INDUSTRIES [2018] DIFC SCT 120 — Enforceability of email-approved legal fee invoices (13 June 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that email-based fee approvals constitute binding contractual obligations, rejecting attempts to disavow debt based on internal personnel changes.
Haneul v Hege LLP [2017] DIFC SCT 120 — Employment gratuity and fiduciary breach (28 August 2017)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the interplay between resignation, notice period obligations, and the forfeiture of end-of-service gratuity under the DIFC Employment Law.
GIICHI LLC v GLENYS [2016] SCT 120 — Reimbursement of erroneously transferred franchise funds (04 October 2016)
The dispute arose from a failed franchise arrangement between Giichi LLC, a franchise company, and Glenys, a Saudi national. Following the execution of a Franchise Agreement on 31 January 2016, the parties encountered difficulties in securing a suitable location, leading to the eventual termination…
Idus v Iessica Ltd [2018] DIFC SCT 119 — Implied contract extension and notice period entitlements (13 May 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that conduct can impliedly extend an expired employment contract under DIFC law, while confirming that the DIFC Employment Law does not recognize the limited/unlimited contract distinction common in onshore UAE labor regulations.
FLAVIUS v FLEUR HOLDING [2015] DIFC SCT 119 — Refund of share subscription funds (25 August 2015)
The dispute centered on a failed investment transaction initiated in July 2014. Flavius sought a full refund of funds transferred to Fleur Holding under the premise of becoming a shareholder.