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LIV GENERAL TRADING v LANDEN [2019] DIFC SCT 578 — Dismissal of claim for repayment of ex-gratia settlement funds (28 February 2020)
The dispute centered on a contractual disagreement following the termination of the Defendant’s employment. The Claimant sought to recover a significant sum paid to the Defendant as part of a post-employment settlement, alleging that the Defendant had violated the confidentiality and non-disclosure…
LUELLA BANK v LAWSON [2019] DIFC SCT 565 — Debt recovery for unpaid credit card and loan balances (27 February 2020)
The dispute centers on the recovery of outstanding balances arising from a personal loan and credit card agreement entered into by the parties on 17 November 2016. Luella Bank alleged that Lawson failed to meet repayment obligations for two distinct credit facilities, specifically the "Lily Card"…
Layla Management v Lucas [2019] DIFC SCT 559 — Unpaid rent and the enforceability of verbal tenancy agreements (28 February 2020)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid rent totaling AED 196,875.00, which the Claimant, Layla Management, alleged was owed by the Defendants, Mr. Lucas and Miss Landy. The claim was bifurcated into two distinct periods: "Period One," covering 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, and "Period Two,"…
LEVIS BANK v MR. LOUISA [2019] DIFC SCT 554 — Debt recovery and the irrelevance of financial hardship (28 February 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that personal financial distress does not constitute a valid legal defense against the enforcement of contractual debt obligations in the DIFC.
LOSTON v LIUNA MARKET RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE [2019] DIFC SCT 549 — Enforcement of end-of-service entitlements and Article 18 penalties (11 March 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms the employer's burden to prove payment of terminal dues, awarding significant statutory penalties for failure to settle arrears.
Lennox v Lola Fashions Limited [2019] DIFC SCT 548 — Employment dispute over unpaid salary and failed counterclaim (27 February 2020)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden required for employers to succeed in counterclaims for damages arising from alleged breaches of employment contracts.
ORMOND v ORAL [2025] DIFC SCT 543 — Procedural fairness in visa cancellation disputes (16 October 2025)
The litigation concerns a breakdown in the employment relationship between the Claimant, Ormond, and the Defendant, Oral, spanning from 2 December 2024 to 8 August 2025. The core of the dispute involves the Defendant’s refusal to cancel the Claimant’s residency visas unless the Claimant signed a…
OLAVE v OLEESA [2025] DIFC SCT 542 — Refusal of permission to appeal in payment services dispute (23 March 2026)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the finality of Small Claims Tribunal judgments, clarifying that payment facilitators do not bear the underlying commercial risk of fraudulent customer charge-backs.
LUCY v LEVI [2019] DIFC SCT 538 — Debt recovery and jurisdictional limits of opt-in clauses (27 February 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict evidentiary requirements for establishing DIFC jurisdiction over consumer banking products, ruling that a lack of an express written opt-in clause precludes the Court from adjudicating claims related to specific credit agreements.
Nilsa v Noori [2023] DIFC SCT 517 — Breach of contract regarding pro-rata service charge refund (01 May 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the contractual obligations of parties regarding property transfer delays and the legal effect of virtual participation in DIFC completion appointments.
Nilsa v Noori [2023] DIFC SCT 517 — Property jurisdiction over arbitration clauses (25 March 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that the physical location of real property within the DIFC creates an overriding jurisdictional nexus that supersedes contractual arbitration clauses.
OKPARA v ORALEE [2025] DIFC SCT 514 — Permission to appeal refused in visa consultancy fee dispute (07 January 2026)
The dispute centered on a contract for visa consultancy services, specifically the application for a Portuguese D2 visa. The Claimant, Okpara, engaged the Defendant, Oralee, to facilitate his application, paying a professional fee of AED 15,570.
NATE v NIXON [2023] DIFC SCT 513 — Default judgment for unpaid end-of-service entitlements (29 May 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal confirms an employer's liability for outstanding salary, notice pay, and gratuity following a failure to file a formal defence.
KINS v KRINA HOLDINGS [2019] DIFC SCT 511 — Statutory penalties for delayed end-of-service payments (26 December 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict application of Article 19 of the DIFC Employment Law, affirming that settlement negotiations do not constitute unreasonable conduct sufficient to waive statutory penalties.
Nyla v Naomi Limited [2023] DIFC SCT 510 — Appeal regarding leave pay calculation (03 May 2024)
The dispute centered on the quantum of payment in lieu of untaken annual leave awarded to the Claimant, Nyla, by the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT). The Defendant, Naomi Limited, challenged the methodology used by H.E.
Nyla v Naomi Limited [2023] DIFC SCT 510 — Employment dispute regarding final settlement and Article 19 penalties (13 March 2024)
The dispute centered on the final settlement owed to the Claimant, Nyla, following his termination by Naomi Limited on 6 November 2023. The Claimant sought recovery of several distinct financial components: a partial salary shortfall from July 2023, unpaid salary for October and November 2023, a…
Naba v Niles [2023] DIFC SCT 509 — Refusal of permission to appeal in employment dispute (28 March 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal reinforces the necessity of evidentiary compliance, dismissing an appeal application as "totally without merit" after the employer failed to substantiate claims during the original proceedings.
Niki v Nolan [2023] DIFC SCT 497 — Breach of contract and the doctrine of estoppel (16 April 2024)
The dispute centered on a consultancy agreement signed on 28 June 2021, under which the Claimant, Niki, provided human resource services to the Defendant, Nolan. The Claimant alleged that it was entitled to a placement fee after the Defendant hired a consultant—who had been working on-site at the…
NAJEE v NASH [2023] DIFC SCT 496 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding arbitration clauses (26 January 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of its jurisdiction, confirming that in the absence of a clear written agreement to opt into the DIFC Courts, valid arbitration clauses in consumer insurance policies remain enforceable.
KRITY v KARAN RESTAURANT AND BAR [2019] DIFC SCT 487 — Employment dispute regarding unpaid wages and visa cost recoupment (29 December 2019)
The dispute arose following the Claimant’s resignation from Karan Restaurant and Bar (Dubai) LLC on 22 September 2019. The Claimant, who had been employed since 1 April 2019, alleged that he was subjected to verbal abuse by the owner, prompting him to terminate his contract for cause.
KRIVY LLP v KRIN LIGHTING [2019] DIFC SCT 486 — Unpaid legal fees and the validity of pre-engagement conduct (10 December 2019)
The dispute centered on the recovery of unpaid professional fees for legal services provided by Krivy LLP (Dubai Branch) to Krin Lighting LLC. The Claimant alleged that it had provided legal advice regarding UAE employment law termination matters, for which it issued two invoices dated 31 May 2019…
NAYAN v NANDIKA [2025] DIFC SCT 485 — Appeal dismissed for failure to provide evidence at trial (26 June 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the high threshold for introducing new evidence on appeal, underscoring the mandatory requirement for written consent in employment contract variations.
NELL v NEMI [2023] DIFC SCT 485 — Dismissal of permission to appeal a jurisdictional ruling (09 August 2024)
The dispute originated from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Nell, and the Respondent, Nemi. The Claimant served as a "grilled chicken maker" for the Defendant, a role that eventually led to a claim for unpaid end-of-service entitlements.
NELL v NEMI [2023] DIFC SCT 485 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding employment contract performance (16 May 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that the physical location of employment performance within the DIFC is sufficient to establish jurisdiction, notwithstanding an employer's onshore licensing.