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TECHTERYX v ARIA COMMODITIES [2025] DIFC DEC 001 — Refining the Digital Economy Court’s Injunctive Reach (18 March 2025)
The Digital Economy Court (DEC) clarifies the procedural requirements for maintaining high-value asset freezes, mandating significant security for costs as a condition for the continuation of interim relief.
GAUGE INVESTMENTS v GANELLE CAPITAL [2016] DIFC ARB 003 — The Arbitrability of Regulatory Breaches (08 June 2016)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms that private civil claims founded on regulatory breaches are arbitrable, rejecting arguments that such disputes are reserved for the Dubai Financial Services Authority or contrary to UAE public policy.
Likitif v Luvaun [2022] DIFC ARB 028: The Primacy of Arbitration Clauses in Subcontractual Disputes
How the DIFC Courts reinforce the jurisdictional boundary between commercial invoices and master agreements On October 25, 2022, H.E.
WCT Berhad v Meydan Group [2016] DIFC ARB 003 — Judicial recusal and the threshold of bias (08 February 2016)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the high threshold for judicial recusal, affirming that robust judicial criticism of counsel and prior participation in related appellate panels do not constitute evidence of bias.
BANYAN TREE CORPORATE v MEYDAN GROUP [2017] DIFC ARB 003 — Permission to appeal procedural orders regarding legal representation (24 January 2017)
The DIFC Court of Appeal grants permission to appeal, scrutinizing the procedural mechanisms governing the cessation of legal representation and the court's power to issue retroactive replacement orders.
BANYAN TREE CORPORATE v MEYDAN GROUP [2015] DIFC ARB 003 — Final recognition and enforcement of a DIAC award
The DIFC Court of First Instance formalizes the enforcement of a multi-million dollar DIAC arbitral award, confirming the finality of the Banyan Tree jurisdictional precedent.
BANYAN TREE CORPORATE v MEYDAN GROUP [2014] DIFC ARB 003 — The Procedural Gateway to Appellate Review
This order marks the critical procedural shift in the Banyan Tree litigation, where the DIFC Court of First Instance granted leave to appeal a landmark judgment concerning the enforcement of DIAC arbitral awards.
MUFRA v MAPART [2023] DIFC ARB 002 — Interim Injunctions and the Threshold for Defences
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the high evidentiary bar for interim injunctive relief, confirming that a respondent’s plausible defence—even if not fully tested—precludes the automatic granting of an injunction.
EDWARD DUBAI v EEVI REAL ESTATE PARTNERS [2015] DIFC ARB 002 — The High Cost of Procedural Obstruction
The litigation concerns the enforcement of a DIAC arbitral award issued on 19 July 2015, following a protracted contractual dispute regarding the construction of a building known as "the Tower" within the DIFC.
Muwarn v Mihad [2023] DIFC ARB 025: Defining the Procedural Boundaries of Arbitral Award Enforcement
How the DIFC Courts clarified the 'opposed' status of enforcement claims and the limits of case management discretion On 10 January 2023, H.E.
MUZAMA v MIHANTI [2022] DIFC ARB 004 — Setting aside an ICC award in the oil and gas sector (08 February 2023)
The DIFC Court of First Instance clarifies the limits of judicial intervention in ICC arbitral awards, affirming that tribunals possess broad discretion to determine the scope of submissions and the commercial nature of state-linked conduct.
Octavia v Oisin [2025] DIFC ARB 023: The Standard of Reasonableness in Post-Enforcement Costs Recovery
How the DIFC Courts are streamlining the path to full indemnity in arbitration enforcement proceedings. On 15 August 2025, H.E.
Nuriel v Nuzhat [2024] DIFC ARB 018: The Clarity Test and the Limits of Contractual Discrepancy
How the DIFC Courts are reinforcing the 'Clarity Test' to prevent parallel proceedings in the Abu Dhabi Courts. On September 4, 2024, H.E.
Lathor v Liufan [2022] DIFC ARB 018: The Enforcement of DIAC Awards in Residential Tenancy Disputes
How the DIFC Courts are streamlining the transition from arbitral award to physical eviction in the private rental sector. On 14 November 2022, H.E.
Ledger v Leeor [2022] DIFC ARB 016: The High Bar for Anti-Suit Injunctions in Seat-Ambiguous Disputes
Justice Michael Black’s refusal to restrain Dubai Court proceedings underscores the limits of DIFC supervisory jurisdiction. On October 7, 2022, Justice Michael Black delivered a decisive blow to Ledger’s attempt to halt parallel litigation in the Dubai Court of First Instance.
Obert v Ondray [2025] DIFC ARB 014: The Limits of Procedural Obstruction in Award Recognition
How the DIFC Courts reaffirmed the principle of separability against a backdrop of meritless jurisdictional challenges. On 9 October 2025, H.E.
Novak v Norwood [2024] DIFC ARB 012: The Limits of Public Policy Challenges in Arbitral Enforcement
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the boundaries of the act of state doctrine and evidentiary standards in the DIFC Courts. On August 29, 2024, H.E.
Limeo Investment & Real Estate v Landia Educational Services [2019] DIFC ARB 012: Resolving Ambiguity in Arbitration Clauses
How the DIFC Courts interpret 'LCIA' references in the wake of the DIFC-LCIA's institutional evolution. On April 14, 2020, H.E.
Nazeer v Noah [2024] DIFC ARB 011: The Limits of Raising Foreign Law Objections in Arbitration
Justice Rene Le Miere clarifies the waiver doctrine and the high threshold for public policy challenges in the DIFC. On 15 August 2024, Justice Rene Le Miere dismissed Nazeer’s application to set aside an arbitral award, ordering the Claimant to pay USD 132,000 in indemnity costs.
Novak v Newland [2024] DIFC ARB 020: The High Threshold for Public Policy Challenges in Guarantee Enforcement
How the DIFC Courts are insulating international arbitral awards from the volatility of onshore insolvency proceedings. On 1 August 2024, H.E.
Edward Dubai v Eevi Real Estate [2015] DIFC ARB 002: The High Cost of Procedural Obstruction
How Justice Sir David Steel and Deputy Chief Justice Sir John Chadwick dismantled a campaign of tactical delay in the enforcement of a USD 264 million award.
Georgia Corporation v Gavino Supplies [2016] DIFC ARB 005: The Limits of Procedural Obstruction in Award Enforcement
Justice Roger Giles clarifies the high threshold for stay applications and the stringent proportionality test for RDC 19 disclosure requests.
YYY Limited v ZZZ Limited [2017] DIFC ARB 005: The Jurisdictional Tug-of-War and the Limits of the Joint Judicial Committee Stay
How a procedural stay under Decree 19 of 2016 paralyzed interim relief and redefined the enforcement of foreign judgments in the DIFC
EDWARD DUBAI v EEVI REAL ESTATE PARTNERS [2015] DIFC ARB 002 — Interim freezing order pending DIAC award enforcement
The DIFC Court affirms its robust stance on the enforcement of arbitral awards, granting a US$224 million freezing order despite parallel annulment proceedings in the Dubai Civil Courts.