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OLYMPIO v OLWIN [2025] DIFC ARB 024 — The limits of procedural obstruction in the shadow of the CJT (07 August 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies that the mere registration of a jurisdictional conflict claim before the Conflicts of Jurisdiction Tribunal (CJT) does not trigger an automatic stay of ongoing enforcement proceedings.
OCTAVIA v OISIN [2025] DIFC ARB 023 — The Standard of Reasonableness in Post-Enforcement Costs Recovery
This order clarifies the DIFC Court’s approach to assessing costs in uncontested enforcement proceedings, affirming the recoverability of professional fees when they align with market standards.
MUHALLAM v MUHAF [2024] DIFC ARB 021 — Contempt of court and sequestration for non-compliance with arbitral award enforcement (28 August 2024)
The litigation arises from the Claimant’s efforts to enforce a provisional arbitral award issued in DIAC Arbitration No. 60 of 2022. The underlying dispute involves a substantial claim of USD 90,826,522.
MUHALLAM v MUHAF [2023] DIFC ARB 021 — The Enforceability of Interim Measures as Arbitral Awards
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies that interim measures issued by an arbitral tribunal, when framed as an award, fall within the scope of Articles 42 and 43 of the DIFC Arbitration Law, regardless of the seat of arbitration.
NOVAK v NEWLAND [2024] DIFC ARB 020 — Permission to appeal granted on public policy challenges to arbitral enforcement
The DIFC Court of First Instance grants permission to appeal, acknowledging the systemic importance of reconciling DIFC enforcement orders with conflicting onshore Dubai Court injunctions.
NOVAK v NEWLAND [2024] DIFC ARB 020 — Enforcement of arbitral awards amidst third-party insolvency (01 August 2024)
The dispute arose from a series of construction contracts between Novak (the employer) and Newton (the contractor). Following Newton’s insolvency, Novak sought payment under six separate guarantees provided by Newland.
NAATIQ v NABEEH [2024] DIFC ARB 018 — Stay of proceedings pending Judicial Committee determination (25 September 2024)
A procedural analysis of the stay of DIFC proceedings pending a determination by the Judicial Committee for Resolving Conflicts of Jurisdiction under Decree 29 of 2024.
Mibot v Mfast [2022] DIFC ARB 035: The Limits of Waiver and the Binding Nature of Arbitration Agreements
How the DIFC Courts clarified the threshold for challenging arbitration agreements in the wake of parallel onshore litigation. On 25 January 2022, H.E.
Nuriel v Nuzhat [2024] DIFC ARB 018 — Final Anti-Suit Injunction and Arbitration Agreement Validity (04 September 2024)
The DIFC Court of First Instance confirms that general references to arbitration clauses in amended agreements satisfy the "Clarity Test," granting a final anti-suit injunction to restrain parallel proceedings in the Abu Dhabi Courts.
LATHOR v LIUFAN [2022] DIFC ARB 018 — Enforcement of DIAC residential tenancy award (14 November 2022)
The dispute centered on the enforcement of a Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) award issued on 25 October 2022. The claimant, Lathor, sought to recover possession of a residential apartment (Apartment No.
OM v OTTILIE [2025] DIFC ARB 017 — Assessment of costs following a failed jurisdictional challenge (10 November 2025)
The dispute arose following the successful defense by OM against a jurisdictional challenge initiated by OTTILIE. After the Court dismissed the Defendant’s application on 28 October 2025, the Claimant sought recovery of its legal and administrative expenses.
OM v OTTILIE [2025] DIFC CFI ARB 017 — Procedural failure and the limits of jurisdictional challenges
The DIFC Court of First Instance confirms that failure to adhere to strict RDC timelines for challenging enforcement orders renders jurisdictional objections unsustainable, regardless of arguments regarding conduit jurisdiction.
LATEEF v LIELA [2022] DIFC ARB 017 — Contempt of court for breach of worldwide freezing orders (24 March 2022)
Justice Wayne Martin finds multiple defendants in contempt of court for the dissipation of AED 7 million and failure to comply with asset disclosure obligations, resulting in a referral to the Attorney General of Dubai.
LATEEF v LIELA [2021] DIFC ARB 017 — Arbitration enforcement and jurisdictional scope of freezing orders (13 December 2021)
The dispute originated from an ICC Arbitration (Case No. 123) in which the Claimants, Lateef and Lukman, sought to enforce an arbitral award against the Respondents, Liela and others.
LEDGER v LEEOR [2022] DIFC ARB 016 — Refusal of anti-suit injunction in seat-ambiguous construction dispute (07 October 2022)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the stringent requirements for granting anti-suit injunctions when the seat of arbitration is contested and proceedings are already underway in the Dubai Courts.
Obert v Ondray [2025] DIFC ARB 014 — Recognition of a EUR 100,000 arbitral award following a disputed consultancy agreement termination (09 October 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reaffirms the principle of separability, confirming that an arbitration clause survives the termination of a consultancy agreement despite attempts to challenge the award on jurisdictional and procedural grounds.
MEDIA GATES v KUWAIT PROJECTS COMPANY [2019] DIFC ARB 013 — Procedural stay of Part 32 applications pending appellate resolution
A consent order formalizing the suspension of Part 32 proceedings in the DIFC Court of First Instance pending the outcome of a related appellate application.
NOVAK v NORWOOD [2024] DIFC ARB 012 — The Limits of Public Policy Challenges in Arbitral Enforcement
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the finality of arbitral awards, rejecting attempts to relitigate corruption findings and evidentiary weight under the guise of public policy.
LIMEO INVESTMENT & REAL ESTATE v LANDIA EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [2019] DIFC ARB 012 — Resolving Ambiguity in Arbitration Clauses
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the interpretation of arbitration agreements referencing the LCIA, confirming that references to the "LCIA Arbitration Centre in the DIFC" designate the DIFC-LCIA.
NAIDOO v NOFRET [2025] DIFC ARB 011 — Assessing proportionality in arbitration-related costs (27 May 2025)
The litigation arose from a failed application by the Claimant, Naidoo, seeking interim injunctive relief and supervisory intervention regarding an ongoing arbitration under DIAC Case No. 240031.
NAIDOO v NOFRET [2025] DIFC ARB 011 — The High Bar for Challenging Arbitral Case Management (9 May 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance reaffirms the principle of non-intervention, clarifying that procedural case management orders issued by a DIAC tribunal are not subject to judicial review as "awards" under the Arbitration Law.
NAZEER v NOAH [2024] DIFC ARB 011 — The Limits of Raising Foreign Law Objections in Arbitration
The dispute originated from two Hotel Operation and Management Agreements (OMAs) concerning properties in Saudi Arabia. Nazeer, the owner, alleged that the manager, Noah, engaged in a "sham" transaction—the Allotment Agreement—to artificially inflate performance metrics and avoid termination under…
LUFTO v LINIDE [2022] DIFC ARB 011 — The high cost of procedural obfuscation in award enforcement (07 July 2022)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the stringent requirements for challenging ex parte enforcement orders, emphasizing that vague applications for extensions of time will be summarily dismissed.
Lirit v Liwanu [2021] DIFC ARB 011 — Pre-arbitration conditions and the limits of 'arbitral procedure'
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies that failure to adhere to tiered dispute resolution clauses does not constitute a procedural defect under the DIFC Arbitration Law, reinforcing the finality of arbitral awards.