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Mirti v Molip [2022] DIFC SCT 439 — unpaid salary and end-of-service gratuity claims (09 February 2023)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s resignation from her position as a hair stylist and the subsequent failure of the Defendant to pay her final salary and end-of-service contributions.
MURAKSA v MIBLUR [2023] DIFC SCT 438 — Establishing jurisdiction over DIFC-registered entities in employment disputes (27 November 2023)
This order clarifies that the status of a defendant as a DIFC-registered entity is sufficient to establish the jurisdiction of the DIFC Courts in employment matters, overriding arguments regarding the necessity of explicit consent to the Small Claims Tribunal.
NEPHI v NESSIM [2023] DIFC SCT 438 — Employment dispute over salary, leave, and termination (24 January 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the accrual of annual leave during the first year of employment and reaffirms the absence of unfair dismissal claims under DIFC law.
Nufur v Nujir [2023] DIFC SCT 436 — Transfer of non-monetary claims to the CFI (18 January 2024)
This order clarifies the jurisdictional boundaries of the Small Claims Tribunal, confirming that claims seeking declaratory relief and document production fall outside the SCT's remit.
KRUNE GROUP DWC v KETTY ADVISORS [2019] DIFC SCT 435 — Enforcement of unpaid consulting invoices following contractual default (4 December 2019)
The dispute arose from a consulting agreement for Salesforce services provided by the Claimant, Krune Group DWC, to the Defendant, Ketty Advisors. The parties entered into a written statement of work on 20 April 2019, which outlined the scope of services and fee structures.
LAJESH v LAASYA [2020] DIFC SCT 429 — Unpaid service charges and the evidentiary burden of strata management (01 July 2021)
The dispute centered on a claim for unpaid service charges related to a property unit managed by the Claimant, Lajesh, within the DIFC. The Claimant, a housing management company, initiated proceedings against the Defendant, Laasya, for failing to settle service charges accrued over a period…
KARTIK COMMERCIAL BANK v KURINA [2019] DIFC SCT 429 — Jurisdictional bifurcation in multi-contract banking disputes (26 December 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the necessity of express jurisdictional covenants in individual loan agreements, ruling that a DIFC forum selection clause in a restructured personal loan does not automatically extend to a separate, legacy car loan agreement.
NAVA v NYLIS [2023] DIFC SCT 427 — Jurisdictional autonomy of DIFC entities (22 December 2023)
The dispute arises from a contractual disagreement regarding unpaid legal fees between the Claimant, a law firm established within the DIFC, and the Defendant, a company based in Dubai.
NITAI v NICHOLSON [2024] DIFC SCT 426 — jurisdictional challenge regarding personal loan agreements (29 October 2024)
The dispute arose from a financial disagreement between two individuals concerning a Convertible Promissory Note. The Claimant sought to recover a principal sum equivalent to AED 52,500, alleging a breach of the repayment terms stipulated in the Note.
Nurjah v Nabyt [2023] DIFC SCT 426 — Property succession and landlord-tenant obligations (16 January 2024)
This judgment clarifies the automatic transfer of landlord rights under the DIFC Leasing Law following the sale of a tenanted property, confirming that new owners inherit the standing to pursue claims against existing tenants.
MIRUBA v MERKE [2022] DIFC SCT 424 — Correcting party identity in SCT proceedings (25 January 2023)
The dispute concerned a claim for outstanding invoices initiated by the Claimant, Miruba, against the Defendant, Merke. Upon reviewing the Claim Form dated 23 November 2022, the Court identified a procedural defect regarding the identity of the party bringing the action.
NORMANDIE v NORRIS [2023] DIFC SCT 419 — Refusal of permission to appeal due to procedural non-compliance (16 September 2024)
The dispute originated from a construction and fit-out contract between the Claimant, Normandie, and the Defendant, Norris. Following a judgment by H.E. Justice Nassir Al Nasser on 20 June 2024, the court found in favor of the Claimant, ordering the Defendant to pay a significant sum for works…
NORMANDIE v NORRIS [2023] DIFC SCT 419 — Permission to appeal granted regarding rectification costs and expert fees (29 July 2024)
Justice Andrew Moran grants partial permission to appeal a Small Claims Tribunal judgment, identifying potential errors in the quantification of construction defect damages and the recovery of expert witness costs.
Mibhut v Marto [2022] DIFC SCT 417 — Unpaid salary and notice period recovery following employer insolvency (18 January 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the application of pro-rated annual leave and notice period entitlements under the DIFC Employment Law when an employer abandons operations.
NAHO v NEUKIRCHI [2024] DIFC SCT 415 — Permission to appeal granted regarding employment commencement dates (07 April 2025)
The dispute arises from the termination of the Claimant, Naho, by the Respondent, Neukirchi, on 23 May 2024. The Claimant sought various payments, including three months’ notice pay (AED 45,000) and various reimbursements, totaling a significant sum for an SCT claim.
MIRUYA v MAHUB [2022] DIFC SCT 414 — Unpaid wages and employment entitlements in the restaurant sector (09 March 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden on employers regarding payroll records and the consequences of non-attendance at hearings in a dispute involving unpaid salary and statutory benefits.
LIBERTY v LINCOLN [2022] DIFC SCT 413 — Enforceability of contractual invoice dispute time-bars (26 December 2022)
The Small Claims Tribunal affirms that contractual time-bar clauses regarding invoice challenges are binding, rejecting attempts to stay civil recovery proceedings pending external disciplinary complaints.
NIARI v NUSEEB [2023] DIFC SCT 412 — Contractual duration and the limits of automatic renewal (11 January 2024)
The dispute arose from a hire agreement for equipment supplied by the Claimant, Niari, to the Defendant, Nuseeb, initiated on 24 January 2022. Following the initial 30-day hire period, the equipment remained on the Defendant’s premises, prompting the Claimant to issue subsequent monthly invoices.
Niphini v Nareb [2023] SCT 411 — Correcting party misidentification in the Small Claims Tribunal (03 January 2024)
The dispute in Niphini v Nareb [2023] SCT 411 centers on a claim initiated by the Claimant against Nareb, the primary corporate entity. However, upon filing the Claim Form on 17 October 2023, the Claimant also named an individual, Nukhad, as the Second Defendant.
LEAH v LEGACY [2022] DIFC SCT 410 — Employment dispute regarding absconding orders and notice period obligations (06 January 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden for employees claiming payment in lieu of notice and confirms the court's authority to order the lifting of improperly maintained absconding orders.
Leo v Leona [2022] DIFC SCT 409 — Employment entitlement and absconding order dispute (06 January 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden required for employees to claim payment in lieu of notice and the necessity of employer record-keeping for vacation leave entitlements.
LAIA v LAREDO [2022] DIFC SCT 408 — Employment entitlements and absconding order dispute (06 January 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden for notice period pay and the necessity of lawful visa procedures following an employee’s resignation.
MARK v MARTHA CONTRACTING [2020] DIFC SCT 408 — Unpaid construction debt recovery (07 January 2021)
The litigation centered on a commercial supply relationship where the Claimant, a producer of adhesives and chemical products, sought to recover funds for materials delivered to the Defendant, a construction firm, between 2018 and 2019.
KASPER INTERIORS DECORATION v KAIYA [2019] DIFC SCT 408 — Expert-led valuation in construction disputes (26 November 2019)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary threshold for construction claims by relying on court-appointed expert reports to resolve disputes over contract completion and variation costs.