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Lenox (Sharjah) Ltd v Lela International [2020] DIFC SCT 182 — Enforcement of admitted contractual debt (06 August 2020)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of invoices issued under a hire agreement for industrial equipment. The Claimant, Lenox (Sharjah) Ltd, alleged that it had fulfilled its obligations by supplying various generators to the Defendant, Lela International, pursuant to a contract dated 16 January…
MEKET v MLAT [2023] DIFC SCT 180 — Lawful lease termination and eviction for non-payment of Turnover Rent (06 July 2023)
The dispute arose from the immediate termination of a lease agreement by the Defendant, Mlat, which resulted in the eviction of the Claimant, Meket, from its premises in the DIFC. The Claimant alleged that the eviction was wrongful and sought compensation for lost revenue and storage costs incurred…
IZZET v IVORY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT [2018] DIFC SCT 179 — Employment termination and end-of-service entitlement dispute (04 July 2018)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that Ivory Capital Management failed to honor contractual obligations following his resignation. Izzet, a Senior Portfolio Manager, alleged that after he submitted his resignation on 21 December 2017, the Defendant attempted to avoid paying his…
LUNACY CONSULTANCY LUDON v LIUNY [2020] DIFC SCT 178 — Recruitment fee dispute and the limits of implied contractual obligations (07 July 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that recruitment agencies bear no implied duty to provide replacement candidates or guarantee candidate conduct absent explicit contractual provisions, reinforcing the primacy of the written agreement in service-based contracts.
MIRET v MUSTO [2023] DIFC SCT 177 — SCT permission to appeal and the limits of judicial intervention in payment plans (13 October 2023)
The dispute arose following a judgment by H.E. Justice Nassir Al Nasser on 14 July 2023, which ordered the First Defendant, Musto, to pay the Claimant, Miret, a specific sum. Musto sought permission to appeal this decision, not on the basis that the financial liability was incorrect, but rather on…
LANDIN v LAKHAN [2020] DIFC SCT 177 — Enforcement of legal service agreements and the limits of SCT jurisdiction (29 July 2020)
The jurisdictional foundation of this case was established early in the proceedings following an attempt by the Defendants to challenge the SCT’s authority to hear the matter. The Claimant, a law firm, sought to recover unpaid legal fees, and the Defendants filed an acknowledgment of service…
Mrutio v Maqit Restaurant [2023] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment termination for cause and the recovery of recruitment costs (25 August 2023)
The dispute centered on a series of claims and counterclaims arising from the termination of the Claimant, Mrutio, who served as a 'Host' at Maqit Restaurant from May 2022 until April 2023.
LAYAT v LENDI HOLDING [2020] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment notice period obligations during COVID-19 (16 July 2020)
The dispute originated from the termination of the Claimant’s employment on 12 May 2020. Initially, the Claimant filed a claim in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) for a total of AED 62,332.14, covering unpaid salary, expenses, annual leave, and a three-month notice period.
IKHLAS COMMERCIAL BANK v IDREES [2018] DIFC SCT 176 — Debt recovery and the necessity of formal counterclaims (20 June 2018)
The dispute centered on the recovery of an outstanding personal loan balance following the Defendant’s default. The parties had entered into a written agreement on 5 January 2016, under which the Claimant provided a loan of AED 325,000 to be repaid in 48 monthly installments of AED 8,002.
HALBERT v HELENTJEE [2017] DIFC SCT 176 — Employment benefit entitlement post-termination (28 September 2017)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s assertion that he was entitled to post-employment benefits despite his tenure as a Senior Executive Officer having concluded on 18 June 2017. Following his placement on garden leave, the Claimant sought to recover what he termed "Outstanding Amounts,"…
IGETE COMMERCIAL BANK v IFETA [2018] DIFC SCT 175 — Default judgment for loan arrears following failure to attend hearing (21 June 2018)
This judgment clarifies the Small Claims Tribunal’s procedural latitude in granting default relief when a defendant fails to comply with court directions or attend scheduled hearings.
NISAN v NEYSA [2024] DIFC SCT 174 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding marketplace seller agreements (18 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the primacy of specific Business Service Agreements over general consumer terms in determining the appropriate forum for marketplace disputes.
NOAH v NORVAL [2024] DIFC SCT 173 — Employment entitlements during probation (02 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that probation periods do not preclude the pro-rated accrual of annual leave, while reinforcing the strict one-year service threshold for end-of-service gratuity payments under DIFC law.
Larue v Lapid [2021] DIFC SCT 173 — Default judgment for unpaid equipment hire invoices (22 August 2021)
The dispute centered on a commercial hire agreement for heavy machinery, specifically boom and scissor lifts, provided by the Claimant, Larue, to the Defendant, Lapid. The agreement spanned the period from December 2020 to April 2021, with payment terms stipulated as 30 days from the date of each…
MURKAN v MUHY [2023] DIFC SCT 172 — Construction payment dispute regarding variation works and delay costs (08 September 2023)
The dispute arose from a construction agreement dated 2 January 2023, under which the Claimant, Murkan, was engaged to perform partial construction works on a private villa project in Dubai.
LADESSA v LAIKE CLINIC [2022] DIFC SCT 172 — Jurisdictional dismissal for lack of written consent (05 July 2022)
The dispute originated from a commercial disagreement involving a freelance marketer and a medical facility. The Claimant, Ladessa, sought recovery of funds she alleged were owed for services provided to the Defendant, Laike Clinic.
HERA BANK v HERMAN [2017] DIFC SCT 172 — Debt recovery and the enforceability of admitted credit obligations (16 October 2017)
The dispute arose from a breach of a financial agreement, specifically the ‘Hera Smart Loan, Credit Card Application Form’ entered into by the parties on 27 July 2014. Hera Bank (PJSC) sought to recover outstanding balances from the Defendant, Herman, following his failure to maintain monthly…
MARUB v MUQAT [2023] DIFC SCT 171 — Enforcement of payment obligations and eviction for bounced rent cheques (23 June 2023)
The dispute centered on a breach of a residential lease agreement for a property located within the DIFC. The Claimant, Marub, sought to recover arrears resulting from two dishonored rent cheques and requested the immediate eviction of the Defendant, Muqat.
LILIY & LOGAN DMCC v MRS. LEO LUCAS [2020] DIFC SCT 170 — Enforcement of legal service agreements and the limits of SCT jurisdiction (15 October 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of unpaid legal invoices under strict contractual notice periods and confirms the jurisdictional boundaries of the SCT regarding professional conduct counterclaims.
Obasi v Oreana [2025] DIFC SCT 169 — Refusal of permission to appeal in brokerage fee dispute (24 December 2025)
The DIFC Court of First Instance affirms the finality of Small Claims Tribunal judgments, clarifying that disputes over factual findings—such as the effective cause of a real estate introduction—do not meet the threshold for appellate review.
NIGEL v NIKHIL [2024] DIFC SCT 169 — Jurisdictional challenge regarding governing law in employment disputes (06 June 2024)
The dispute arose from an employment relationship between the Claimant, Nigel, and the Defendant, Nikhil, a company registered and operating within the Dubai International Financial Centre.
NESTOR v NESSIM [2024] DIFC SCT 168 — Employer liability for seconded employees (15 July 2024)
The dispute arose from the Claimant’s resignation and his subsequent demand for unpaid wages, annual leave, and end-of-service benefits. The Claimant, employed as a waiter, alleged that his employer had failed to remit full salary payments over several months, leading to a total claim of AED…
Oberlin v Ovidiu [2026] DIFC ARB 008: The Proportionality Threshold in Arbitration Enforcement Costs
H.E. Justice Shamlan Al Sawalehi clarifies the court's discretion in awarding costs for successful enforcement applications. On 26 March 2026, H.E.
MIKRU v MAKO [2023] DIFC SCT 168 — Unpaid salary and the limits of compensation for loss of opportunity (26 June 2023)
The dispute centered on an employment relationship initiated on 1 March 2023, where the Claimant, a Head Chef, sought recovery of unpaid wages and damages for career disruption. The Claimant alleged that despite performing duties for the Defendant, he received no remuneration for his first month of…