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NAIF v NAJIB [2023] DIFC SCT 484 — Failure to substantiate maintenance service claims (18 September 2024)
The dispute centered on an Executive Annual Maintenance Contract signed on 9 September 2020, under which the Claimant, Naif, provided preventive and reactive maintenance services for restaurants operated by the Defendant, Najib.
LENDRO v MR. LUTIS [2020] DIFC SCT 166 — Contractual liability for legal services following disputed termination (23 July 2020)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid legal fees arising from an engagement agreement dated 9 February 2015. The Claimant, Lendro, sought recovery of fees for services rendered between September 2019 and February 2020, which the Defendant, Mr.
NYSA v NORWOOD [2023] DIFC SCT 480 — Primacy of statutory maintenance obligations over private lease terms (25 March 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms that private contractual clauses attempting to shift maintenance burdens onto a lessee are invalid where they conflict with mandatory DIFC statutory protections.
LINSAEN COMPANY v LIRANI DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT [2019] DIFC SCT 479 — Jurisdiction of the Small Claims Tribunal over unpaid legal fees (04 December 2019)
The dispute arose from a contract for legal services provided by the Claimant, Linsaen Company Limited, to the Defendant, Lirani Development and Management LLC. The Claimant, a law firm based in the DIFC, sought to recover unpaid fees for services rendered regarding the Defendant’s land development…
NOVA v NINA [2023] DIFC SCT 478 — Refusal of permission to appeal in Small Claims Tribunal contract dispute (11 March 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the high threshold for appellate intervention in Small Claims Tribunal matters, emphasizing that a failure to provide contemporaneous evidence of contractual non-performance precludes a realistic prospect of success on appeal.
ONNI v ORLAN [2025] DIFC SCT 475 — Refusal of permission to appeal SCT judgment (02 April 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reinforces the finality of Small Claims Tribunal proceedings, confirming that parties cannot introduce evidence on appeal that was within their control during the initial hearing.
MAHAR v MOORI [2022] DIFC SCT 473 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding subcontract disputes (17 January 2023)
The dispute arose from a construction subcontracting relationship that spanned over a decade, involving multiple corporate restructurings. The Claimant, Mahar, initiated proceedings in the SCT to recover outstanding payments allegedly owed under a 2012 agreement.
MAKET v MEPIS [2022] DIFC SCT 471 — Limited grant of permission to appeal on payment evidence (02 June 2023)
The DIFC Court clarifies the narrow threshold for challenging Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) findings, permitting an appeal solely on a disputed payment figure while upholding the underlying construction work valuation.
MAKUR v MOTLA [2022] DIFC SCT 471 — Partial performance and quantum meruit in construction disputes (19 May 2023)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the methodology for assessing damages in residential fit-out disputes where a contractor fails to complete the agreed scope of works.
MIUCIT v MAHAB [2022] DIFC SCT 467 — Fundamental non-performance and deposit recovery (21 February 2023)
The dispute centered on a failed commercial transaction initiated on 12 August 2021, when the Claimant, Miucit, submitted a purchase order to the Defendant, Mahab, totaling USD 113,347.50.
MANIATA v MUNTYCOMPANY [2020] DIFC SCT 463 — jurisdictional limits on employment claims involving onshore entities (04 February 2021)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he had been subjected to a unilateral salary reduction and a failure to provide mandatory health insurance during his secondment to the Defendant.
Lorenzo v Lola Real Estate [2019] DIFC SCT 463 — Small Claims Tribunal ruling on rent refunds and snag list liability (28 February 2020)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s request for a refund of five days of unused rent following the early termination of a one-year lease agreement. The Claimant, Lorenzo, had entered into a lease for an apartment in the DIFC with the Defendant, Lola Real Estate, for an annual rent of AED…
NICO v NASH [2023] DIFC SCT 461 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of nexus (16 January 2024)
The dispute originated from a contractual disagreement between two individuals, Nico and Nolan (the Claimants), and a company identified as Nash (the Defendant). The Claimants, based in Abu Dhabi, initiated proceedings against the Dubai-based Defendant to recover funds they alleged were owed under…
NEGRETE v NAZLI [2025] DIFC SCT 459 — Permission to appeal granted regarding wrongful termination and investigation procedures (23 June 2025)
The dispute arises from the termination of the Claimant, Negrete, who was employed as a Server Assistant at the Defendant’s hotel in the DIFC. The Claimant’s employment commenced on 17 October 2021, with a monthly salary of AED 1,854.
MANIK LLC v MIUNA LLC [2020] DIFC SCT 458 — Default judgment for unpaid equipment hire fees (03 February 2021)
The dispute centered on a commercial relationship involving the rental of equipment for projects conducted within Dubai during 2019 and 2020. Manik LLC, the Claimant, alleged that despite the provision of equipment and the subsequent issuance of invoices, Miuna LLC, the Defendant, failed to satisfy…
LAJITA v LAKSHAN [2020] DIFC SCT 457 — Breach of promissory note and liability of non-signatory parties (24 June 2021)
The dispute centered on the recovery of a loan provided by the Claimant, Lajita, to the First Defendant, Lakshan, under a written agreement. The Claimant sought a total of AED 880,549.32, which included the principal loan amount, accrued interest, and associated legal costs.
MURIN v MOLA [2022] DIFC SCT 455 — Small Claims Tribunal dismisses performance claim due to mandatory arbitration clause (15 May 2023)
The dispute originated from a contractual disagreement concerning the performance of specific works. The Claimant, Murin, sought judicial intervention to compel the Defendant, Mola, to fulfill obligations that were allegedly outstanding under a previously executed settlement.
Oleta v Onesimo [2024] DIFC SCT 454 — Refusal of permission to appeal regarding unpaid salary and training cost set-off (25 April 2025)
The dispute originated in the Small Claims Tribunal, where the Claimant, Oleta, sought payment of her September salary from her former employer, the Defendant, Onesimo. The lower court ruled in favor of the Claimant, ordering the Defendant to pay the outstanding salary and the associated court…
Nasser v Najat [2024] DIFC SCT 452 — Strict application of the six-month limitation period for employment claims (25 November 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal confirms that the statutory limitation period for employment disputes under the DIFC Employment Law is absolute, dismissing a claim filed thirteen months after the date of termination.
Neve v Nellie [2023] DIFC SCT 443 — Unlawful salary deductions and end-of-service entitlements (16 January 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the strict evidentiary burden on employers regarding salary deductions and the maintenance of leave records under DIFC employment law.
MIA v MAX RESTAURANT [2020] DIFC SCT 443 — Judicial validation of internal disciplinary policies regarding discretionary payments (14 January 2021)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that she was entitled to receive tips accrued during her tenure as a waitress, which she alleged were wrongfully withheld by the Defendant upon the termination of her employment.
LIET v LEAT [2022] DIFC SCT 441 — Transfer of employment discrimination claims to the Court of First Instance (22 December 2022)
The Claimant, LIET, initiated proceedings against her former employer, LEAT, seeking various forms of redress related to her employment tenure. The core of the dispute involves allegations of mistreatment in the workplace, for which the Claimant seeks both financial compensation and non-monetary…
NOHUN v NETIP [2023] DIFC SCT 440 — Employment dispute over end-of-service entitlements and alleged breach of contract (19 January 2024)
The dispute arose following the resignation of the Claimant, Nohun, who served as a GP Aesthetic Doctor at Netip, a DIFC-registered medical clinic. Upon her resignation on 28 September 2023, the Claimant sought her statutory end-of-service entitlements, including payment in lieu of a three-month…
MURAK v MORAN [2022] DIFC SCT 440 — Judicial affirmation of non-renewal notice via informal channels (30 May 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that in the absence of specific contractual requirements for formal written notice, landlords may rely on alternative communication methods to signal the non-renewal of a tenancy.