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LAIRD v LAMIS [2021] DIFC SCT 154 — Employment termination and commission dispute (17 June 2021)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the absence of arbitrary dismissal principles in the DIFC and reinforces the binding effect of signed settlement declarations in employment disputes.
Luz v Livia [2020] DIFC SCT 154 — Establishing jurisdiction over DIFC-based employment disputes (21 May 2020)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies that the DIFC Courts maintain automatic jurisdiction over employment disputes involving DIFC-registered entities, regardless of contractual references to 'Dubai Law' or the misidentification of the employer in the initial claim.
Misti v Mipip [2023] DIFC SCT 153 — Contractual set-off and maintenance obligations in gas supply agreements (18 May 2023)
The dispute arose from the termination of a supply, operation, and maintenance agreement for gas systems at a labour camp. The Claimant, Misti, sought recovery of unpaid royalty and maintenance fees, while the Defendant, Mipip, sought payment for residual gas and various service charges.
Igalico v Inteus Restaurant & Lounge [2018] DIFC SCT 153 — Employment termination and statutory benefit disputes (30 May 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of unfair dismissal claims under DIFC law while enforcing statutory entitlements for salary, vacation, and gratuity.
IASSEN v THE IBERNIA RESTAURANT AND BAR [2018] DIFC SCT 152 — Breach of consultancy agreement and notice period liability (24 May 2018)
The dispute centered on the non-payment of professional fees and the interpretation of a termination clause within a consultancy agreement. Iassen LLC, a consulting firm, sought recovery of unpaid monthly retainer fees for the first quarter of 2018, alongside a claim for notice period compensation…
LUFT v LYNTI [2022] DIFC SCT 151 — Dismissal of appeal regarding jurisdictional gateways for employment claims (10 August 2022)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal confirms that procedural rules governing the SCT do not independently confer jurisdiction, reinforcing the necessity of meeting statutory gateways under the Judicial Authority Law.
NASR v NESS [2024] DIFC SCT 150 — Breach of contract and refund of immigration service fees (17 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the professional duty of care owed by immigration service providers regarding the viability of business plans submitted for visa applications.
NAKIA v NIHAL [2024] DIFC SCT 147 — Dispute over immigration service fees and contractual performance (24 July 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the limits of refund entitlements in immigration consultancy agreements, ruling that service providers are not liable for non-performance where the client fails to meet documentation requirements.
FINIAN v FLORETTA BANK [2015] DIFC SCT 146 — Employment gratuity and late payment penalties (25 August 2015)
The dispute arose following the resignation of the Claimant, Finian, from his position at Floretta Bank. Upon the termination of his employment, the Claimant sought a comprehensive settlement of his end-of-service benefits, which the Defendant refused to pay in full.
Ibleam Advocates and Legal Consultants v Ibolya Real Estate [2018] DIFC SCT 145 — Breach of retainer agreement and liquidated damages enforcement (11 June 2018)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the enforceability of liquidated damages clauses in legal retainer agreements following the unilateral termination of services by a client.
HALSEY v HALINA DIFC [2016] DIFC SCT 145 — Unpaid salary and Article 18 penalty enforcement (25 January 2017)
The Claimant, Halsey, initiated proceedings in the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) seeking recovery of outstanding remuneration following his resignation from his position as a Senior Manager in Investment Advisory.
LATRELL v LAWAHIZ [2022] DIFC SCT 144 — Jurisdiction via Tax Invoice Opt-in (10 May 2022)
The dispute arose from a commercial transaction involving the supply of diesel generators. The Claimant, Latrell, sought recovery of unpaid invoices totaling over sixty-five thousand dirhams, which it alleged were owed by the Defendant, Lawahiz, following the issuance of a Local Purchase Order…
Isobelle v The Ieaun Restaurant [2018] DIFC SCT 144 — Employment entitlement to accrued annual leave (21 May 2018)
The dispute originated from the resignation of the Claimant, Isobelle, who served as the General Manager for the Defendant, The Ieaun Restaurant. The Claimant resigned on 1 April 2018, citing the non-payment of his salary for February and March 2018.
NEVILLE v NESTOR AND NEWTON [2024] DIFC SCT 142 — Enforcement of legal service fee invoices (05 August 2024)
The dispute arose from a professional services agreement between Neville, a DIFC-registered law firm, and the Defendants, Nestor and Newton. The Claimant sought recovery of AED 485,970 in unpaid legal fees incurred while representing the Defendants in a separate Court of First Instance (CFI)…
Nasib v Navidad and Nabeel [2024] DIFC ARB 008: The High Bar for Stays Pending Appeal
How the DIFC Courts balance the finality of arbitral awards against the procedural rights of appellants On 13 August 2024, H.E.
MAGNAR BANK v MAHFUZ [2022] DIFC SCT 142 — Debt recovery and evidentiary standards in the Small Claims Tribunal (03 June 2022)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding arrears arising from two distinct financial products: a personal loan and a credit card facility. Magnar Bank initiated the action to recover a total sum of AED 234,704.18, alleging that the Defendant had failed to maintain the required repayment…
NORMA v NUNZIO [2024] DIFC SCT 141 — Refusal of permission to appeal in Small Claims Tribunal contract dispute (13 September 2024)
The dispute centered on an alleged breach of a written contract dated 27 February 2024, under which the Claimant, Norma, acted as a promoter for the Defendant’s restaurant and nightclub.
NORMA v NUNZIO [2024] DIFC SCT 141 — Dismissal of venue promotion commission claim (12 August 2024)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden for service providers seeking unpaid commissions and ancillary fees under venue promotion agreements.
NORMA v NUNZIO [2024] DIFC SCT 141 — Small Claims Tribunal set aside order (05 June 2024)
The DIFC Small Claims Tribunal vacates a default judgment after the Defendant demonstrates a realistic prospect of success and provides evidence of technical impediments to attendance.
HEITOR v HELAH [2017] DIFC SCT 141 — Misrepresentation and the rescission of settlement agreements (01 August 2017)
The dispute centered on the Claimant’s attempt to recover AED 204,422.28, which represented the first installment paid to the Defendant under a March 2017 settlement agreement. The Claimant, a DIFC-based company, argued that it had been induced to enter into this agreement under false pretenses.
MIRTU v MOUNI [2023] DIFC SCT 139 — Employment claim for unpaid salary and gratuity (06 June 2023)
The Small Claims Tribunal clarifies the evidentiary burden on employers to prove DEWS registration when disputing statutory end-of-service gratuity calculations.
Lium v Lartis [2022] DIFC SCT 139 — Corporate continuity and liability for unpaid invoices (18 October 2022)
The dispute centered on the recovery of outstanding payments for wholesale electrical equipment supplied by Lium to Lartis between December 2020 and April 2021. Lium alleged that despite the successful delivery of materials—confirmed by signed invoices—Lartis failed to settle the accounts,…
LUDIALA v LUCAAN LIMITED [2020] DIFC SCT 139 — Restrictive covenants and employment misrepresentation (13 July 2020)
The dispute arose following the termination of the Claimant, a highly experienced foreign exchange and financial derivatives broker, by the Defendant, a financial brokerage firm operating within the DIFC.
MAINA v MAJ INVEST [2022] DIFC SCT 138 — Enforceability of automatic assignment clauses in consultancy agreements (01 June 2022)
The dispute centered on a Consultancy Agreement dated 25 August 2020, under which the Claimant provided financial and bookkeeping services to facilitate the Defendant’s incorporation and regulatory licensing within the DIFC.