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EMBLA v ELTON [2014] DIFC SCT 074 — Small Claims Tribunal denies recovery of disputed district cooling charges (21 December 2014)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of landlord recovery for utility arrears, ruling that the renewal of a tenancy agreement without addressing known service charge disputes constitutes a waiver of the right to collect.
DEMONTE v DELYTH [2013] DIFC SCT 002 — Default judgment in the Small Claims Tribunal (07 October 2013)
An analysis of the procedural enforcement of claims within the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal following a defendant's failure to attend a scheduled consultation.
DANITA v DANH [2013] DIFC SCT 037 — Employment benefits and invalid deductions (06 August 2013)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he was entitled to end-of-service benefits, including unpaid salary, notice pay, and a return ticket, following the termination of his employment at the Defendant’s salon.
Damari v Damayanti [2013] DIFC SCT 036 — Employment end-of-service benefits and evidentiary standards for wage deductions (06 August 2013)
The dispute arose following the termination of the Claimant’s employment, which spanned from early 2011 to mid-2013. The Claimant initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal after the Defendant failed to provide a comprehensive final settlement, leading to a shortfall in the expected…
DALMATIA v DAIKI [2013] DIFC SCT 034 — Enforcement of security deposit obligations (11 August 2013)
The dispute arose from a residential tenancy agreement for a two-bedroom apartment. The Claimant, Dalmatia, sought to recover a security deposit of AED 7,500, along with outstanding DEWA utility bills and property registration fees.
Daisy v Dale and Dalton [2013] DIFC SCT 004 — A Small Claims Tribunal ruling on deposit recovery in failed vehicle sales (22 July 2013)
The dispute arose from a failed private sale of a used Mercedes Benz 350. The Claimant, Daisy, entered into an agreement to purchase the vehicle for AED 115,000, initiating the transaction by paying a deposit.
Dagmar v Dahlia [2013] DIFC SCT 022 — Employment claim dismissal for lack of evidence (12 June 2013)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for employment-related claims, confirming that allegations of discrimination and harassment require substantive proof beyond mere assertion.
DAEWON v DACIA [2013] DIFC SCT 013 — Employment gratuity and termination for cause (16 April 2013)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the high threshold for 'termination for cause' under DIFC employment law and the limited scope of standard visa cancellation waivers regarding statutory entitlements.
DACEY v DACIA [2013] DIFC SCT 014 — Employment dispute over end-of-service benefits and notice pay (05 December 2013)
The Claimant, Dacey, initiated proceedings against her former employer, Dacia, seeking a comprehensive settlement of outstanding financial obligations following the termination of her employment contract.
DABRIA v DAIRE [2013] DIFC SCT 021 — Employment termination and gratuity entitlement (21 April 2013)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the high evidentiary threshold required for employers to justify termination for cause under DIFC employment law.
Carrick v Carrie [2013] DIFC SCT 030 — unauthorized deduction of recruitment costs (22 July 2013)
The dispute arose following the Claimant’s resignation after approximately 19 months of service. The Claimant sought payment for outstanding wages for June 2013, end-of-service gratuity, and vacation pay.
Camellia v Callister [2012] DIFC SCT 005 — Restrictive covenant enforceability in consultancy employment (01 September 2012)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the high threshold for enforcing post-employment non-compete clauses, ruling that overly broad restrictions lacking geographical and business-specific definitions are void as a matter of law.
CALLAN v CALLIE [2012] DIFC SCT 008 — Employment termination and constructive resignation (02 September 2012)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the threshold for constructive resignation in the DIFC, ruling that an employee’s refusal to report to work following a salary dispute constitutes a voluntary termination of the employment contract.
Cale v Callan [2012] DIFC SCT 006 — Employment dispute regarding termination for alleged misbehaviour (01 June 2012)
The dispute arose following the termination of the Claimant, an advocate, by the Defendant law firm, Callan LLP, in December 2011. The Claimant sought compensation for unlawful termination, gratuity payments, compensation in lieu of notice, and compensation in lieu of vacation leave.
CALANDRA v CALDER [2012] DIFC SCT 004 — Small Claims Tribunal jurisdiction over judicial review (01 March 2012)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s attempt to hold the Registrar of Companies accountable for specific administrative actions, which the Claimant characterized as improper and performed in bad faith.
Caden v Caitlin [2012] DIFC SCT 001 — jurisdictional limits in employment bonus disputes (01 February 2012)
This judgment clarifies the jurisdictional boundaries of the DIFC Small Claims Tribunal regarding employment contracts transferred from DIFC-licensed entities to non-DIFC entities.
BAO v BANU [2011] DIFC SCT 004 — Territorial limits of DIFC jurisdiction (01 October 2011)
The dispute arose from a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) originally entered into in October 2006 for the purchase of a villa located in a project outside the DIFC. The Claimant, Bao, alleged that upon paying the full purchase price in 2011, the Defendant, Banu, demanded an additional payment of…
BAMBI v BALLARD [2011] DIFC SCT 002 — The absence of statutory unfair dismissal rights in the DIFC (01 February 2011)
This judgment confirms that the DIFC Employment Law 2005 does not provide a standalone cause of action for unfair dismissal in the absence of enabling Regulations, effectively barring such claims in the Small Claims Tribunal.
Babak v Bandi [2011] DIFC SCT 005 — Enforcement of delivery timelines in real estate reservation forms (01 January 2011)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that pre-contractual reservation forms, when supported by management representations, constitute binding agreements regarding property delivery dates, entitling purchasers to damages for delays.
Adolf v Abia [2010] DIFC SCT 006 — Employment status and liquidation liability (30 December 2010)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that an employer cannot evade statutory employment obligations through claims of corporate liquidation or failure to transfer sponsorship if an employment relationship is substantively established.
ABIGAIL v LANCELOTE LOUNGE [2020] DIFC SCT 084 — Employment entitlements and the invalidity of training cost clawbacks (28 April 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of contractual freedom in DIFC employment disputes, ruling that employers cannot enforce training cost recovery clauses without evidence of actual expenditure or specific, non-essential training.
ABELINO v AAPO AND ABBAS [2010] DIFC SCT 003 — Employment dispute regarding resettlement allowance (01 December 2010)
The dispute centered on whether a resettlement allowance mentioned in a termination letter constituted an unconditional financial entitlement or a conditional benefit governed by the underlying Expatriate Assignment Policy (EAP).
AARON v ABELA [2010] DIFC SCT 004 — Contractual termination and jurisdictional scope (22 September 2010)
The dispute centered on a contract for the design, printing, and packaging of a tenant handbook for three villa projects. The Claimant, Aaron, sought AED 100,000 in compensation, alleging breach of contract after the Defendant, Abela, terminated the agreement.
ORRY v OFELJA [2026] DIFC SCT 593 — Limited permission to appeal granted in tenancy dispute (11 March 2026)
The dispute originated from a residential tenancy agreement concerning a unit within the DIFC jurisdiction. The parties entered into a contract on 20 July 2024, which expired on 19 July 2025.